was contacted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was contacted for' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who was contacted with a specific purpose, such as to receive a message or to be given an offer. For example: "John was contacted for an interview at the law firm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Loughnane was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Hartsuyker was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Mirabella was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Facebook was contacted for comment.

The Guardian - Tech

Onasanya was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Trump's campaign was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Bishop's office was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Andrew Fraser's office was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Brisbane airport was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

The premier's office was contacted for comment.

The Guardian

The Home Office was contacted for details.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was contacted for" when you want to emphasize that someone received communication for a specific reason, especially in formal or neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive "was contacted for" with an awkward active construction. For example, instead of saying "Someone contacted them for comment", the passive "They were contacted for comment" is often more appropriate and maintains a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was contacted for" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone received communication with a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to denote that the subject was on the receiving end of a communication initiated by someone else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was contacted for" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone received communication for a specific reason. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It is particularly common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, as shown in the Ludwig examples. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that the passive voice is appropriate for the context and that the intended meaning is clear. Consider alternatives like "was reached out to for" or "was asked for" to add nuance. Avoid misusing active voice when the passive construction is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was reached out to for

Uses "reached out to" instead of "contacted", indicating a more proactive or deliberate effort to make contact.

was approached for

Suggests a more direct and intentional initiation of contact.

was asked for

Focuses on the request made during the contact, rather than the act of contacting itself.

was consulted about

Highlights that the contact was for seeking advice or expert opinion.

was interviewed for

Implies the contact was part of a formal interview process.

was solicited for

Indicates that something was requested, often implying a formal request or appeal.

was requested to provide

More explicitly states that something was requested from the person contacted.

received a request for

Shifts the focus to the receipt of the request, rather than the act of contacting.

was called upon to

Suggests a formal or official request to do something.

was engaged to

Emphasizes that the person was hired or involved for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "was contacted for" in a sentence?

Use "was contacted for" to indicate that someone received communication for a specific reason or purpose. For instance, "The expert "was contacted for" their opinion on the matter".

What are some alternatives to "was contacted for"?

You can use phrases such as "was reached out to for", "was approached for", or "was asked for" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "was contacted for" or "someone contacted"?

The choice depends on the context. "Was contacted for" is passive and emphasizes the recipient of the contact. "Someone contacted" is active and emphasizes the actor. The passive voice is often preferred in formal writing when the actor is unknown or less important than the recipient of the action.

What does "was contacted for" imply?

It generally implies that the person was reached out to with a specific intention or request, such as for providing information, giving a statement, or offering their expertise.