it was hired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was hired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been employed or engaged for a specific purpose, typically in a professional context. Example: "The new software was hired to improve our data processing capabilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

It was hired for its supposed expertise in "glassifying" nuclear waste, a technique by which the waste is dried, combined with molten glass and then poured into steel jackets.

The Economist

It made its name in 1991 when it was hired by ICI to fend off a takeover by the Anglo-American conglomerate Hanson, and he has since built it into one of the most powerful PR companies in the world with offices in 15 countries and nearly 500 staff.

The Guardian

"It lied about its qualifications to perform the jobs it was hired to do, and overstated the participation of minority businesses," he said.

The New York Times

Winston & Strawn picked up its first major role at Yucca Mountain in 1992, when it was hired as a subcontractor to the TRW Corporation, then the Energy Department's main contractor for examining the mountain, a volcanic ridge 90 miles north of Las Vegas.

The New York Times

In October, it was hired by IAC to participate in the Vimeo Festival + Awards event.

The New York Times

Mini was a panda". Crispin gave up the Mini account when it was hired by Volkswagen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It was hiring again.

The New York Times

The airline said it was hiring more maintenance instructors.

The New York Times

Three days later, The Post announced it was hiring replacement workers.

The Washington Post

The next day, Kleiner announced that it was hiring a new female partner.

The New York Times - Tech

The company, based in Mountain View, California, said in October that it was hiring at a slower rate.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was hired", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what was hired and for what specific purpose to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was hired" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "It was hired by the company", consider "The company hired it."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it was hired" is to act as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being hired. This construction is used when the focus is on the entity that was hired rather than the entity that did the hiring, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was hired" is a grammatically sound passive construction indicating employment for a specific purpose. Ludwig's analysis shows it is commonly used in news, business, and academic contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who or what was hired and for what purpose. While correct, the active voice can often be more direct. Alternatives like "it was employed" or "it was contracted" offer similar meanings with subtle variations in formality. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is usable in written English, confirming its acceptability in various professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was employed

Replaces "hired" with "employed", a more formal synonym, but maintains the passive voice construction.

it was contracted

Substitutes "hired" with "contracted", emphasizing a formal agreement for services.

it was recruited

Replaces "hired" with "recruited", often used when referring to new employees or members.

it was commissioned

Substitutes "hired" with "commissioned", implying a formal request or order for something to be made or done.

it was engaged

Replaces "hired" with "engaged", suggesting a more active and involved role.

it was appointed

Substitutes "hired" with "appointed", often used for official positions or roles.

it was selected

Replaces "hired" with "selected", implying a choice from multiple candidates or options.

it was brought on board

An idiomatic alternative to "it was hired", emphasizing the inclusion of someone or something into a team or project.

it was retained

Replaces "hired" with "retained", suggesting that someone or something was kept or maintained for a specific purpose.

its services were procured

Transforms the sentence to focus on the services obtained, maintaining a formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "it was hired" in a sentence?

Use "it was hired" when referring to someone or something that has been engaged or employed for a specific task or purpose. For example, "The consultant was hired to improve the company's efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "it was hired"?

You can use alternatives like "it was employed", "it was contracted", or "it was recruited" depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when talking about hiring someone?

While "it was hired" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "the company hired") is often more direct and clearer. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the entity being hired or the entity doing the hiring.

What's the difference between "it was hired" and "it was employed"?

While similar, "it was employed" often suggests a more continuous or ongoing engagement, whereas "it was hired" can refer to a specific, shorter-term task or project. Both are in passive voice.