was recognized as

USAGE SUMMARY

"was recognized as" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when you want to explain that someone or something was acknowledged or known for a specific quality or accomplishment. For example, "John was recognized as an expert in his field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Philip was recognized as king consort.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The main byproduct was recognized as toluene.

Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

Bobby Orr was recognized as hockey's incomparable defenseman.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Romney was recognized as a competent businessman, polling found.

The New York Times - Health

Deterioration was recognized as the presence of water-soaked tissue.

Nature

P<0.05 or P<0.01 was recognized as significantly different.

Nature

He was recognized as a master of low‐keyed suspense.

The New York Times

The United Netherlands was recognized as an independent republic.

Britannica

Everywhere I went, I was recognized as a Silver Dancer.

The Guardian - Sport

The latter was recognized as a nation by the President.

Cornell University

This inhibitory effect was recognized as a bactericidal effect.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was recognized as" to highlight achievements, skills, or qualities that have been publicly acknowledged or widely accepted. For instance, "She was recognized as a leading expert in her field" effectively conveys her acknowledged expertise.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "People recognized him as a hero", use "He was recognized as a hero" to focus on the recognition he received, rather than who gave the recognition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was recognized as" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that someone or something received acknowledgement or acclaim for a specific quality, role, or achievement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

29%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was recognized as" is a versatile phrase employed to convey public or authoritative acknowledgment of a specific quality or role. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the recognition received, while being mindful of the appropriate tense and voice. Consider alternatives like "was acknowledged as" or "was deemed as" to add subtle nuances to your writing. Being mindful of these insights will help you use the phrase effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was acknowledged as

Substitutes "recognized" with "acknowledged", emphasizing formal acceptance or admission.

was regarded as

Uses "regarded" to convey how someone or something was viewed or esteemed.

was known as

Replaces "recognized" with "known", indicating widespread familiarity or reputation.

was identified as

Focuses on the act of pinpointing or categorizing something or someone.

was considered to be

Replaces "recognized as" with a more general term for assessment or judgment.

was deemed as

Uses "deemed" instead of "recognized", suggesting a more official or authoritative assessment.

was hailed as

Similar to "celebrated as", but suggests enthusiastic and often widespread acclaim.

was celebrated as

Emphasizes public praise and admiration, rather than simple recognition.

was labeled as

Emphasizes the act of assigning a specific designation or category.

was established as

Focuses on the act of setting up or proving something's status or identity.

FAQs

How can I use "was recognized as" in a sentence?

Use "was recognized as" to indicate that someone or something was acknowledged or known for a particular attribute or achievement. For example, "The discovery "was recognized as" a major breakthrough in the field".

What are some alternatives to "was recognized as"?

Alternatives include "was acknowledged as", "was considered to be", or "was deemed as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was recognized as"?

The phrase "was recognized as" is inherently passive. Using the active voice would require restructuring the sentence, for example, changing "She was recognized as a leader" to "People recognized her as a leader".

What's the difference between "was recognized as" and "became known as"?

"Was recognized as" implies a formal or public acknowledgement of a quality or role. "Became known as", on the other hand, suggests a gradual development of a reputation or identity. For example, someone "was recognized as" an expert after publishing influential research, while they "became known as" a local hero after performing several acts of bravery.