to be placed in command

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be placed in command" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being assigned a leadership or authoritative role. Example: "After careful consideration, the board decided that she was the best candidate to be placed in command of the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Upon recovery from the effects of his gassing, and aided by the temporary presence of his wife Minnie, Hart returned to England and was placed in command of the New Zealand reserves at Sling Camp in Bulford.

Wikipedia

Continuing their advance, the company was able to reach its objectives, where Whittle was placed in command of a post just beyond the mill.

Wikipedia

Li Shimin went to the capital to see off a third brother, Li Yuanji, who was placed in command of an expedition against the Turks; his elder and younger brothers are said to have plotted to murder him.

Britannica

Hammond is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and is placed in command of the new Homeworld Security department afterwards; Brigadier General Jack O'Neill takes over command of Stargate Command in the season 8 opener "New Order".

Wikipedia

After commanding a corps in the attempt to relieve Vienna on Oct. 30, 1848, he was placed in command of the Hungarian forces on the upper Danube River.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lee was recalled to the north to aid in the defense of New York in September 1776 and Moore was placed in command of the Southern Department.

Wikipedia

After the disastrous Union defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run the same month, McClellan was placed in command of what was to become the Army of the Potomac.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On 24 April, the day after the Katia and Oghratina, Chauvel, commander of the Anzac Mounted Division, was placed in command of all the advanced troops: the 2nd Light Horse Brigade and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigades at Romani and an infantry division; the 52nd (Lowland) at Dueidar.

Wikipedia

Later, in Iraq, Petraeus was able to put his ideas into practice in the field, when he was placed in command of multinational forces during the 2007 surge – which he was key in helping to orchestrate.

The Guardian

Related: Petraeus leaks: Obama's leniency reveals 'profound double standard', lawyer says Later, in Iraq, Petraeus was able to put his ideas into practice in the field, when he was placed in command of multinational forces during the 2007 surge – which he was key in helping to orchestrate.

The Guardian

John Sullivan was placed in command until Greene was well enough to resume command.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be placed in command", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the placing and why. This clarifies the chain of authority and the rationale behind the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "to be placed in command" without specifying the actor performing the action. Omitting the actor can lead to ambiguity and weaken the sentence's clarity. Always ensure the agent placing someone in command is either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be placed in command" is to denote the passive reception of authority or control. As Ludwig shows, this phrase indicates that someone is receiving the action of being given a position of leadership.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be placed in command" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of assigning someone to a position of authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in various contexts, including encyclopedias, news media, and wikis, and tends to have a neutral to professional tone. While alternatives like "to be put in charge" or "to be given authority" exist, "to be placed in command" specifically highlights the action of delegation and formal assignment to a leadership role. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the placing to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be given authority over

Focuses on the conferral of authority rather than the act of placement.

to be put in charge of

A more informal alternative, emphasizing responsibility.

to be assigned leadership of

Highlights the leadership aspect of the role.

to be appointed head of

Emphasizes a formal appointment to a leading position.

to be designated as commander of

More specific to military or structured organizations.

to be made responsible for

Focuses on accountability rather than direct authority.

to be entrusted with the command of

Highlights the trust placed in the individual.

to be invested with control over

Emphasizes the power and influence granted.

to take the helm of

A more figurative expression for assuming control.

to supersede and command

Highlights the replacing aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "to be placed in command" in a sentence?

You can use "to be placed in command" to describe someone being assigned a leadership role. For example, "After his exemplary service, he was "to be placed in command" of the entire division."

What are some alternatives to "to be placed in command"?

Alternatives include "to be put in charge", "to be appointed head", or "to be given authority", depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "to be placed in command"?

While "to be placed in command" is passive, using the active voice (e.g., "The general placed him in command") can sometimes be more direct and clearer, depending on the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "to be placed in command" and "to assume command"?

"To be placed in command" implies an external assignment of authority, while "to assume command" suggests taking on a role, possibly through promotion or succession.