was nominated for

USAGE SUMMARY

"was nominated for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a person or object has been selected for consideration for an award or other honor. For example: "John's paper was nominated for a prestigious science award."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was nominated for a Tony award.

The New York Times

He was nominated for the screenplay.

Independent

Again she was nominated for a Tony.

The New York Times - Arts

I was nominated for " — — — — — — With the Hat".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was nominated for a César.

The New York Times

Hoggett was nominated for best choreography.

The New Yorker

Norma Rae was nominated for best picture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was nominated for four Academy Awards.

The New York Times

Brown was nominated for his direction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was nominated for several Grammies.

The New York Times

She was nominated for an Academy Award.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this passive form when the focus should remain on the person's accolades rather than the organization granting them

Common error

Avoid using "was nominated to" when referring to awards or prizes; "to" is typically used for appointments to a position or committee (e.g. "was nominated to the board"), whereas "for" is the correct choice for honors (e.g. "was nominated for an Oscar").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was nominated for" acts as a passive verb construction used to indicate that a subject has been officially proposed for an award, honor, or position. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is the standard way to describe the act of receiving a nomination without emphasizing the person or committee doing the nominating.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Social Media

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was nominated for" is a cornerstone of English achievement reporting. Based on data from Ludwig AI, it appears with high frequency in high-quality sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. It is grammatically correct, universally accepted, and functions as the default passive construction for discussing awards (Oscars, Tonys, Grammys) and professional honors. While alternatives like "earned a nomination for" or "was shortlisted for" can add specific nuance regarding merit or selection stages, the original phrase remains the most versatile and professional choice for documenting recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a nomination for

Slightly more active tone focusing on the receipt of the honor

earned a nomination for

Implies the nomination was a direct result of merit or hard work

was a nominee for

Changes the verb to a state of being with a noun

garnered a nomination for

Often used in journalistic contexts to describe gaining recognition

was recognized with a nomination for

Adds emphasis to the act of recognition

was shortlisted for

Specific to situations where a long list has been narrowed down

secured a nomination for

Suggests a successful effort to obtain the nomination

was put forward for

More common in British English or institutional contexts

was up for

Informal version often used in casual media discussion

received a nod for

Industry jargon frequently used in entertainment news

FAQs

How to use "was nominated for" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an achievement, such as: "The actress "was nominated for" an Academy Award in 2023."

What is the difference between "was nominated for" and "received a nomination for"?

There is very little semantic difference, but "received a nomination for" is slightly more active and shifts the focus slightly toward the subject's possession of the honor.

Can I say "earned a nomination for" instead?

Yes, "earned a nomination for" is a great alternative that emphasizes the subject's hard work and merit.

Is "was nominated for" formal enough for a CV?

Absolutely. It is the standard professional phrase for listing honors, though you might also consider "shortlisted for" if you want to highlight being among a select few finalists.