it was commissioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was commissioned" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of requesting or ordering something to be made, created, or completed. For example: - The painting was commissioned by a wealthy art collector. - The report was commissioned by the company's CEO. - The project was commissioned by the government to address environmental concerns.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also suffered a leak in its propulsion system before it was commissioned.

The Guardian

It was commissioned by Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual.

BBC

It was commissioned in March 1984 with only 50% of its production capacity.

Desalination

Its whereabouts are unknown even though it is known it was commissioned.

Independent

It was commissioned by Cambridge University.

The Guardian

It was commissioned by somebody and bought by somebody.

The New York Times

It was commissioned by Cecil, intent on sabotaging Dudley.

The New York Times - Books

It was commissioned by RXR Realty, which owns the building.

The New York Times - Science

And it was commissioned by the BBC itself.

The Guardian

It was commissioned for the French new town Sénart.

The Guardian

It was commissioned, according to the gallerist, as a tribute.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was commissioned", ensure clarity about who initiated the commissioning and the purpose behind it. For instance, specify "it was commissioned by the BBC for a documentary series".

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "it was commissioned" without specifying who authorized or requested it. Always clarify the commissioner to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was commissioned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject received a commission or order. Ludwig examples showcase this use in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was commissioned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating that something was formally requested or ordered. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and suitable for various contexts. While used across different registers, it appears most commonly in news and media, science, and academic writing. When using "it was commissioned", it's best practice to specify who initiated the commissioning to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was ordered

Replaces "commissioned" with "ordered", emphasizing a direct command or request.

it was requested

Focuses on the act of asking for something to be created or done.

it was authorized

Highlights the official approval or permission granted for something.

it was initiated

Emphasizes the commencement or starting of a project or task.

it was created

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence.

it was contracted

Highlights a formal agreement to have something done.

it was assigned

Emphasizes the allocation of a task or project to someone.

it was launched

Focuses on the start of a new product or project.

it was conceived

Highlights the initial idea or concept behind something.

it was instigated

Emphasizes the act of starting or provoking something.

FAQs

How to use "it was commissioned" in a sentence?

Use "it was commissioned" to indicate that someone formally requested or ordered something to be made or done. For example, "The statue "it was commissioned" by the city council".

What can I say instead of "it was commissioned"?

You can use alternatives like "it was ordered", "it was requested", or "it was authorized" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "it was commissioned" or "it is commissioned"?

"It was commissioned" refers to a past event when something was requested or ordered. "It is commissioned" refers to the present, indicating that something is currently being requested or ordered. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the commissioning.

What's the difference between "it was commissioned" and "it was created"?

"It was commissioned" implies a formal request or order for something to be made, while "it was created" simply means something was brought into existence. Commissioning involves a specific request, while creation doesn't necessarily.