on assignment from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on assignment from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is working or acting on behalf of another person or organization, typically in a professional or official capacity. Example: "The journalist was on assignment from the magazine to cover the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Like Mr. Bush, he reckons he's "on assignment from God".

The New York Times

On a recent day, Mr. Bichon was nosing around the printers on assignment from one of the manufacturers.

The New York Times

Corey Busch, a former executive with the San Francisco Giants, has, on assignment from the commissioner, studied cities and has not found one that is more viable than Washington.

The New York Times - Sports

Received F Andrew Clark on assignment from Saint John.

The New York Times - Sports

International Hockey League CHICAGO WOLVES--Received D Evgeny Konolev on assignment from the New York Islanders.

The New York Times - Sports

PROVIDENCE BRUINS--Acquired D Vratislav Cech on assignment from Greenville of the ECHL.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The McLean, Va., office of Arnold Worldwide, part of the Arnold Worldwide Partners unit of Havas Advertising, has ended its two-year relationship with PNC Bank, after taking on assignments from another banking client, the Citizens Financial Group.

The New York Times

In addition to taking on assignments from businesses, he teaches at the Peter F. Drucker Graduate Management Center at the Claremont Graduate School in California, and continues to read voraciously.

Forbes

Initially he worked on assignments from Philadelphia architects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Travelling on assignments from Africa to Australia, Hopkins received two British Press Pictures of the Year awards for his reportage.

Independent

In between jobs, Ms. Henry, who moved to the United States from England when she was 7, could always depend on assignments from temporary employment agencies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on assignment from", ensure the context provides clarity regarding the nature of the assignment and the authority providing it. This will prevent ambiguity and ensure the reader understands the relationship between the individual and the organization.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "on assignment from" implies complete endorsement or control by the assigning entity. The individual still retains professional autonomy and is responsible for their actions within the scope of the assignment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on assignment from" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the source or origin of an assignment or task. As confirmed by Ludwig, it specifies that someone is acting under the direction or commission of a particular entity. The examples show this phrase is commonly used to clarify the commissioning body for a particular task.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sports

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on assignment from" is a prepositional phrase used to denote that an individual or entity is performing a task specifically requested or directed by another organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "commissioned by" or "authorized by" exist, this phrase clearly indicates the source of the assignment. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities involved, and avoid assuming complete control by the assigning entity. While frequently found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commissioned by

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the act of formally requesting or ordering something.

acting on behalf of

This alternative highlights that the person is representing another entity.

authorized by

This alternative highlights the official permission or endorsement behind the assignment.

tasked by

This alternative emphasizes the act of giving someone a task to do.

with authorization from

This option emphasizes the permission granted by an entity to carry out a specific task.

delegated by

This alternative focuses on the act of entrusting a task or responsibility to someone.

pursuant to instructions from

This option indicates that the assignment is carried out following the specific directives of another body.

sent by

This alternative is simpler and emphasizes the act of being dispatched or sent on a mission.

dispatched by

This alternative is similar to 'sent by' but implies a more official or urgent manner.

under the auspices of

This alternative is more formal and suggests that the assignment is being conducted with the support, protection, or guidance of an organization.

FAQs

How to use "on assignment from" in a sentence?

Use "on assignment from" to indicate that someone is performing a task or duty at the request of another entity, as in, "The journalist was "on assignment from" the newspaper to cover the event".

What can I say instead of "on assignment from"?

You can use alternatives like "commissioned by", "authorized by", or "delegated by" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on assignment for" instead of "on assignment from"?

While "on assignment for" can be used, it typically refers to the purpose of the assignment rather than the entity that initiated it. "On assignment from" specifies the source or authorizing body.

What's the difference between "on assignment from" and "on behalf of"?

"On assignment from" indicates a specific task or mission given by an entity. "On behalf of" suggests representing the interests of another party, which may encompass broader responsibilities.