was promoted

USAGE SUMMARY

"was promoted" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a past action of being elevated to a higher position or rank in a job or organization. For example: - He was promoted to manager after only two years with the company. - She was recently promoted to senior editor at the publishing company. - The young athlete was promoted to the varsity team after impressing the coaches at tryouts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Frost, too, was promoted.

The New York Times - Sports

Lester was promoted.

The New York Times - Sports

Pole was promoted.

The New York Times - Magazine

Manstein stayed, and was promoted.

The New York Times - Books

Zach Lutz was promoted instead.

The New York Times - Sports

Poulter was promoted.

The New Yorker

Eventually she was promoted.

The New York Times

He was promoted posthumously.

The New York Times

He excelled, and was promoted to detective.

The New Yorker

In 2009, I was promoted to C.E.O.

The New York Times

This month, however, she was promoted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly specifies the role or position the person "was promoted" to, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was promote" or "is promote" as they are grammatically incorrect. Always use the past participle "promoted" after "was" to form the passive voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was promoted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received a promotion. It emphasizes the action performed upon the subject rather than the subject performing the action. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was promoted" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to indicate that someone has received a higher position or rank. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. This analysis shows that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is correct and the context clearly indicates the new role or position. Consider alternatives like "received a promotion" or "was elevated" to add variety to your writing. Remember to avoid incorrect tense usage, such as "was promote". Overall, the phrase is a straightforward and effective way to communicate professional advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a promotion

Focuses on the act of receiving the promotion rather than the state of being promoted.

was given a promotion

Emphasizes the act of being given the promotion by an external party.

secured a promotion

Focuses on the effort made to achieve the promotion.

was elevated

Uses a synonym for "promoted", emphasizing the upward movement in status.

was advanced

Similar to "elevated", highlighting progress in rank or position.

got a higher position

Simplifies the concept using more common vocabulary.

moved up the ranks

Highlights the progression through different levels within an organization.

took on a senior role

Shifts focus to the responsibilities of the new position.

climbed the ladder

Idiomatic expression for advancing through levels of hierarchy.

rose to the top

Indicates reaching the highest possible position.

FAQs

How can I use "was promoted" in a sentence?

Use "was promoted" to indicate that someone received a higher position or rank, for example, "She "was promoted" to senior manager after her outstanding performance".

What are some alternatives to saying "was promoted"?

Alternatives include "received a promotion", "was elevated", or "was advanced", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "got promoted" instead of "was promoted"?

While "got promoted" is commonly used in informal contexts, "was promoted" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "was promoted" and "is promoted"?

"Was promoted" refers to a past event, while "is promoted" describes a current or future action. For example, "He "was promoted" last year" versus "He is promoted based on his skills".