he was trusted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was trusted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone had the confidence or reliance of others in a particular context or situation. Example: "Despite the challenges they faced, he was trusted by his colleagues to lead the project successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He was trusted.

The Guardian

This is why he was trusted by the militants.

The New Yorker

He was trusted and he looked after his people.

The Guardian

He was trusted by the wealthy individuals who invested in art.

The Guardian

For his integrity and wisdom he was trusted both by the British government and by Indian intellectual and political leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In that career he was trusted and aided by three successive kings Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

He was trusting it, and seducing a good part of it.

The New York Times - Arts

He was trusting of his doctor.

HuffPost

In security we say "Trust but Verify". Here, it was all trust and he was trusting crooks.

HuffPost

"He's trusted".

The New York Times - Arts

"But could he be trusted?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add more nuance, specify the reasons why "he was trusted", highlighting his qualities, skills, or experiences that earned him the trust of others.

Common error

Avoid using "he was trusted" without providing specific context. For example, saying "he was trusted" without mentioning the group or area in which he held trust diminishes the statement's impact and clarity. Instead, specify 'He was trusted by the community' or 'He was trusted with sensitive information'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was trusted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received trust from others. This trust is usually based on their reliability, integrity, or skills. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was trusted" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone had the confidence and reliance of others. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread usage spans across various contexts, from news to encyclopedias. To maximize clarity and impact, specify who trusted him and for what reasons. While alternatives like "he was relied upon" and "he inspired confidence" exist, "he was trusted" remains a versatile and effective choice for conveying trust and dependability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he enjoyed their confidence

Focuses on the possession of confidence from others rather than the act of being trusted.

he inspired confidence

Highlights his ability to make others feel secure and confident in his abilities.

he was held in high regard

Emphasizes the positive opinion others had of him, suggesting respect and admiration.

he was highly esteemed

Similar to 'held in high regard' but with a stronger emphasis on formal respect and admiration.

he was considered reliable

Directly states his attribute of reliability, focusing on his consistency and dependability.

he was seen as dependable

Highlights how others viewed his dependability, focusing on perception.

he had their implicit faith

Emphasizes a deep, unspoken trust and belief in him.

he commanded their trust

Highlights his ability to earn and secure the trust of others.

he was someone you could count on

Focuses on the practical aspect of being able to rely on him in times of need.

he proved trustworthy

Emphasizes that his trustworthiness was demonstrated and validated over time.

FAQs

How can I use "he was trusted" in a sentence?

Use "he was trusted" to show someone had the confidence of others. For example, "He was trusted with the project because of his experience".

What can I say instead of "he was trusted"?

You can use alternatives like "he was relied upon", "he was held in high regard", or "he inspired confidence depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he was trusting" instead of "he was trusted"?

While "he was trusting" is grammatically correct, it has a different meaning. "He was trusting" means he had a tendency to trust others, whereas "he was trusted" means others had confidence in him.

What does it mean when someone says "he was trusted"?

It typically means that the person had earned the confidence and reliance of others. This could be due to their integrity, skills, or past performance. The exact meaning depends on the context in which "he was trusted" is used.