was commanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was commanded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed or ordered to do something, often in a formal or authoritative manner. Example: "He was commanded to report to the principal's office immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As if this was commanded.

The New York Times

The precinct was commanded by Capt.

The New Yorker

Instead, that army was commanded by Lieut.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the time, Galveston Island was commanded by Col.

The New York Times

The brig was commanded by Mackenzie, noted for his… THAT WAS NEW YORK.

The New Yorker

One of them, the 11th, was commanded by Colonel Oran K. Henderson.

The New Yorker

His naval force was commanded by officers who also traded on his behalf.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alexa did as she was commanded, asking a Google Nexus 6P how to enable Hey Siri.

The Guardian - Tech

The glider was commanded to dive to average depth of 800 m every profile.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Then, it was commanded to ascend to an altitude of 4.0 km to sample the feature again until ~09 49 LT (red line, label "A2," ascent 2).

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Figure 7 shows the result when a weight of 50 g was applied and haptic voltage of 350 Vrms was commanded.

ROBOMECH Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was commanded", ensure the context clearly indicates who issued the command and what action was ordered. This adds clarity and authority to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was commanded" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The troops were commanded to retreat", consider "The general commanded the troops to retreat."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was commanded" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received an order or instruction. This grammatical structure shifts the focus from the issuer of the command to the recipient and the action performed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was commanded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase indicating that someone received and was expected to act upon an order. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage across diverse contexts. This phrase is commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki articles, often denoting instructions given in military, historical, or formal settings. For clearer and more direct writing, however, consider using active voice constructions where appropriate. When seeking alternatives, options such as ""was ordered"" or "was instructed" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was ordered

A direct synonym, highlighting the authoritative nature of the instruction.

was instructed

Emphasizes guidance or teaching, less forceful than "commanded".

was directed

Suggests guidance or a specific path to follow, rather than a strict order.

was given the command

Highlights the act of giving the command.

was under orders

Emphasizes being subject to the commands of a superior.

received orders

Focuses on the reception of the command rather than the act of commanding.

was charged with

Highlights the responsibility associated with the instruction.

had orders

Highlights possession of the orders, implying a responsibility to follow them.

was tasked with

Focuses on the assignment of a specific duty or task.

was told to

A more informal way of expressing that someone received an instruction.

FAQs

How to use "was commanded" in a sentence?

Use "was commanded" to indicate that someone received an order or instruction. For example, "The soldier "was commanded" to cease firing" or "The ship "was commanded" to change course immediately".

What can I say instead of "was commanded"?

You can use alternatives like /s/was+instructed, "was ordered", or "was directed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was commanded" or "is commanded"?

"Was commanded" indicates a past event, while "is commanded" indicates a present or ongoing state. The correct choice depends on the time frame you are referring to.

What's the difference between "was commanded" and "was asked"?

"Was commanded" implies authority and obligation, indicating that the person had to follow the order. "Was asked" implies a request, suggesting the person had a choice.