she was presented with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was presented with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is given or awarded something, often in a formal context. Example: "At the ceremony, she was presented with the award for her outstanding contributions to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She was presented with the impossibility of going on.

The Guardian

In fact, she was presented with a citizens' award by the mayor.

The Guardian

She was presented with an instrument for testing horses' hearts, made by the Cambridge Instrument Co.

The New Yorker

She was presented with indisputable evidence that one of her forebears was a baker – hurrah!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On her 100th birthday she was presented with a team jersey bearing the number 100.

The New York Times

She's always been a malleable singer, osmotically absorbing whatever style and attitude she was presented with.

The New York Times - Arts

I cried a bit, I have to say, when she was presented with the medal.

Independent

Late in her tenure, she was presented with two politically charged cases that have yet to be resolved.

The New York Times

When Mrs. Clinton finally arrived, she was presented with an award for her support of the arts by Caroline Kennedy.

The New Yorker

She sat in a chair beside her bed as she was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And finally, It was only right that Kelly Rowland steal the show at the Glamour Women of The Year Awards in London--she was presented with one of the night's top honors: TV Personality Of The Year.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was presented with" to emphasize the act of giving, often in a formal or ceremonial context. For example, "She was presented with the award by the mayor."

Common error

Avoid using "she was presented with" when a more direct active voice construction is appropriate. For instance, instead of "She was presented with a gift by him", consider "He presented her with a gift."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was presented with" functions primarily as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject (she) is the recipient of an action (being presented with something). This emphasizes what was given to her, rather than who gave it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was presented with" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to denote that someone formally received something, often an award or honor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable. Its prevalence in news media, formal business contexts, and encyclopedias indicates a register ranging from neutral to formal. When writing, be mindful to use this phrase when emphasizing the act of giving and consider active voice alternatives like "she received" for directness. Steer clear from similar but not grammatically correct variations as "she was presented a gift".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she received

Replaces the passive construction with a more direct active verb.

she was awarded

Highlights the honor or recognition associated with the giving.

she was given

Simplifies the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning.

she was the recipient of

Focuses on her as the receiver of the item.

she obtained

Indicates gaining possession of something, but is less formal.

something was bestowed upon her

Emphasizes the act of giving as an honor.

she came into possession of

A more formal and emphatic way of saying she received something.

she had conferred on her

Emphasizes the formal conferral of an honor or award.

she earned

Highlights the merit or effort involved in receiving something.

she was entrusted with

Highlights the item and the responsibility that comes with it.

FAQs

What does "she was presented with" mean?

It means that something was formally given or awarded to her. It implies a deliberate act of giving, often in a ceremony or official setting.

What can I say instead of "she was presented with"?

You can use alternatives like "she received", "she was awarded", or "she was given" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "she was presented a gift"?

While understandable, it's more grammatically correct and common to say "she was presented with a gift". The "with" clarifies that she is receiving something.

When is it best to use "she was presented with" over alternatives?

Use "she was presented with" when you want to emphasize the formal or ceremonial nature of the giving. It's suitable when someone is honored or officially recognized with something.