was commanded by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was commanded by" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that someone or something received orders from another person or entity. Example: The army was commanded by General Johnson during the battle. In this sentence, "was commanded by" shows that General Johnson was in charge and giving orders to the army.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The precinct was commanded by Capt.

The New Yorker

Instead, that army was commanded by Lieut.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The brigade was commanded by Brig.

The New York Times

The flight was commanded by Capt.

The Washington Post

At the time, Galveston Island was commanded by Col.

The New York Times

He said the camp was commanded by a nephew of the former Albanian President, Sali Berisha.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New Model Army was commanded by Thomas Fairfax, Baron Fairfax, and eventually the cavalry was led by Lieut.

Britannica

That unit was commanded by Mikhail Golovatov, a KGB officer whom Lithuania now considers a war criminal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was commanded by", ensure the context clearly indicates a hierarchical relationship or chain of command. This makes the sentence more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "was commanded by" when the active voice is more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The fort was commanded by Colonel Miller", consider "Colonel Miller commanded the fort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was commanded by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received orders or direction from a specified entity. Ludwig examples show its usage in historical, military, and organizational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was commanded by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction indicating a chain of command or authority. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wikipedia. When writing, ensure that the context warrants a passive voice, or the active voice might provide a more direct and impactful construction. Related phrases like "was led by" or "was headed by" can offer alternative ways to express leadership or control. Overall, "was commanded by" is a versatile phrase when conveying hierarchical relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was led by

Focuses on leadership and guidance rather than direct orders.

was headed by

Emphasizes the role of someone at the top of an organization.

was supervised by

Highlights the oversight and direction provided by a superior.

was governed by

Indicates a formal system of control and administration.

was directed by

Focuses on providing instructions and guidance.

was overseen by

Highlights the act of watching over and managing activities.

was controlled by

Emphasizes the power to influence or determine outcomes.

was run by

Focuses on the practical management and operation of something.

was administered by

Highlights the formal process of managing and organizing.

reported to

Indicates a hierarchical structure where someone is accountable to another.

FAQs

How do I use "was commanded by" in a sentence?

Use "was commanded by" to indicate that a person or group was under the authority or orders of someone else. For example, "The troops were commanded by General Patton".

What can I say instead of "was commanded by"?

You can use alternatives like "was led by", "was headed by", or "was directed by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "commanded"?

While "was commanded by" (passive) is grammatically correct, the active voice (e.g., "General Patton commanded the troops") can be more direct and impactful. Choose the voice that best suits your writing style and context.

What's the difference between "was commanded by" and "was controlled by"?

"Was commanded by" specifically implies a formal chain of command and direct orders, whereas "was controlled by" suggests a broader influence or power dynamic, not necessarily involving direct orders.