was tapped by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was tapped by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that was chosen by a person or entity. For example: The project was tapped by a panel of expert judges.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My phone was tapped by the first night of publication.

The Guardian

He was tapped by the powers that be to make a film that would travel.

The Guardian - Film

The telephone conversation was tapped by several intelligence services, but none of them foresaw its significance.

The New York Times

In 2001, Peter was tapped by Time Warner corporate to create an internal companywide magazine.

The New York Times

In 2006, he was tapped by The Guardian to write a weekly column titled "The New Vegetarian".

The New York Times - Food

He advised Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on economic matters before he was tapped by Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Riedel was tapped by Zwirner, and given his first solo show in the United States in 2005.

The New York Times

(He was tapped by the Ian Fleming estate to write the latest installment of 007's adventures).

The New York Times - Books

He was tapped by Mr. Brady to head the Brady Commission investigation of the 1987 stock market crash.

The New York Times

In 1988, he was tapped by the Dukakis Presidential campaign to head the creative side of its media effort.

The New York Times

There have been reports that he was "tapped" by his father, who himself was a Bonesman, but that seems incorrect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was tapped by" to indicate a formal or significant selection for a role or project. It adds a sense of prestige to the appointment.

Common error

Avoid using "was tapped by" in very informal settings. Alternatives like "chosen" or "selected" may be more appropriate for casual conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was tapped by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received an action (being chosen or selected) from an external agent. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase connects a person or entity with the selecting agent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was tapped by" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that someone or something has been selected or chosen for a specific role or purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, as supported by Ludwig's examples, it suggests a deliberate and often significant selection. Though "was tapped by" is acceptable in a wide range of contexts, it's best to consider the formality of your writing and select appropriate synonyms when necessary to tailor the message to a precise meaning. While the phrase is generally correct, remember to reserve it for moments that merit a sense of significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was selected by

Indicates a choice was made from a group of candidates.

was chosen by

Similar to selected, but can imply a more personal decision.

was appointed by

Suggests a formal assignment to a position.

was designated by

Implies a specific designation for a task.

was recruited by

Focuses on the act of enlisting someone.

was headhunted by

Indicates a targeted recruitment effort.

was handpicked by

Emphasizes a careful and personal selection.

was nominated by

Suggests being put forward as a candidate.

was invited by

Implies an invitation to participate.

was commissioned by

Suggests a formal request or order for services.

FAQs

How can I use "was tapped by" in a sentence?

Use "was tapped by" to indicate that someone was selected or chosen for a specific role or task. For example, "He "was tapped by" the president to lead the new initiative".

What is a synonym for "was tapped by"?

Synonyms include "was selected by", "was chosen by", and "was appointed by".

Is "was tapped by" formal or informal?

"Was tapped by" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for news articles, business communications, and academic writing.

What's the difference between "was tapped by" and "was asked by"?

"Was tapped by" implies a selection process and a degree of honor or importance, while "was asked by" simply indicates that someone requested something. For example, instead of saying that the company "was tapped by" the government to develop new technology, you could say that the company was requested by the government to develop new technology. The first sentence stresses the prestige while the second just reports the fact.