was given to him

USAGE SUMMARY

'was given to him' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was given to a person. For example: The award for Employee of the Year was given to him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One of his companions was a six-toed white cat named Snowball, which was given to him by a ship's captain and lived at his Key West estate.

Huffington Post

Later, he said the medal was given to him.

The New York Times

Alvin's cellphone was given to him by a relative.

The New York Times

It was given to him by the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq.

The New Yorker

The last name was given to him at birth, the others at coronation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The players greeted him with great delight while that shirt was given to him.

Independent

The memorabilia, he said, was given to him as gifts in eastern Ukraine.

The Washington Post

"[Coyne] said it was given to him at a party in Arkansas on 4 November 2012.

The Guardian - Music

His nickname, England, was given to him by his brother Jim.

The New York Times - Arts

So when I was given to him, I counted myself among the lucky ones.

The Guardian

It was given to him by Joey Goldberg, an ailing friend.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was given to him", ensure the context clearly identifies who did the giving. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was gave to him". The correct form uses the past participle, "given".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given to him" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that he is the recipient of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It highlights that someone or something bestowed something upon him.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science & Research

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was given to him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction used to describe the act of bestowing something upon a male individual. Ludwig AI attests to its widespread applicability. While suitable for various contexts, its frequency in news media and academic sources makes it versatile for both neutral and formal communication. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who performed the giving action. Consider replacing "was given to him" with alternatives like "he received" or "he was awarded" to fine-tune the tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was handed

Emphasizes the physical act of giving.

he received

Focuses on the act of receiving rather than the act of giving.

he was presented with

Highlights the act of presenting or formally offering something.

he was awarded

Implies a formal recognition or prize.

he was granted

Implies permission or authorization to receive something.

he obtained

Suggests effort or action on his part to acquire something.

it was passed on to him

Suggests a transfer from one person to another, often within a family or organization.

he came into possession of

Formal way of saying he acquired something.

he inherited

Indicates that something was received as an inheritance.

he was bequeathed

Implies inheritance, typically after someone's death.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was given to him" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives such as "he was awarded" or "he was granted" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "was given to him" and "he received"?

"Was given to him" emphasizes the giver, while "he received" focuses on the receiver. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

Is it correct to say "was gave to him"?

No, "was gave to him" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was given to him", using the past participle of "give".

What are some informal alternatives to "was given to him"?

Informal alternatives include "he got" or "he was handed", which are more conversational.