was headed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was headed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate who was in charge or leading a particular group, project, or organization in the past. Example: "The committee was headed by Dr. Smith, who brought extensive experience to the role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was headed by Capt.

The New Yorker

Each settlement was headed by a chieftain.

Britannica

The group was headed by Cardinal Ratzinger.

The New York Times

The cast was headed by two admirable English singers.

The New York Times - Arts

The cast was headed by Kyra Nichols and Adam Luders.

The New York Times - Arts

This was headed by BBC1, reaching 48% of respondents.

The Guardian

Later it was headed by her and her father.

The New York Times - Arts

The task force was headed by Mr. Lima.

The New York Times

It was headed by the words: "Liberté, fraternité, surveillance".

The Guardian

The family was headed by a couple who could not read or write.

University of California, Berkeley

The lively discussion was headed by Another Look's founding director, the eminent author Tobias Wolff.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was headed by" to clearly indicate the leader or person in charge of a specific entity, project, or group in a past context. Ensure the subject and the leader are clearly defined in the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was headed by" when the active voice would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The project was headed by John", consider "John headed the project" for a more impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was headed by" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating who held a leadership or directorial role in the past. Ludwig examples show it's used across varied contexts to specify leadership.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was headed by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote past leadership or direction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and common usage across various sources. While alternatives like "was led by" or "was directed by" exist, "was headed by" remains a clear and effective choice, particularly in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. It's essential to ensure clarity in sentence structure and consider active voice alternatives for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was led by

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "headed" with "led" for a slightly simpler phrasing.

was directed by

This alternative emphasizes the act of directing or managing, suggesting a more active role in guidance.

was managed by

This alternative focuses on the managerial aspect of leadership, implying responsibility for overseeing operations.

was overseen by

This alternative highlights the supervisory role, suggesting a focus on monitoring and ensuring proper execution.

was chaired by

This alternative specifically refers to someone presiding over a meeting or committee.

was captained by

This alternative evokes the image of a captain leading a team or ship, suggesting a strong and decisive leader.

was governed by

This alternative emphasizes the act of governing or ruling, often used in the context of organizations or regions.

was administered by

This alternative focuses on the administrative aspect of leadership, highlighting the responsibility for managing processes and procedures.

was pioneered by

This alternative suggests the act of being the first to explore or develop something, emphasizing innovation and initiative.

was spearheaded by

This alternative emphasizes the role of being at the forefront of an effort or movement, suggesting a strong and driving force.

FAQs

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

Use "was headed by" to indicate who led or directed something in the past. For example: "The committee "was headed by" Dr. Smith."

What are some alternatives to "was headed by"?

Alternatives include "was led by", "was directed by", or "was managed by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was headed by"?

While "was headed by" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "The team "was headed by" Jane", you could say "Jane led the team."

What is the difference between "was headed by" and "was founded by"?

"Was headed by" refers to who was in charge at a particular time, while "was founded by" refers to who established or created something initially. They are not interchangeable.