we were commissioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were commissioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to being officially assigned or tasked with a project or work by an authority or organization. Example: "After a thorough selection process, we were commissioned to design the new community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

When we were commissioned by The Lancet Oncology to write an update to our report, we were sceptical that we would uncover much change.

The Lancet Oncology

"We were commissioned to rethink what a hostel could be in the age of boutique hotels," said the LAVA director Tobias Wallisser.

The New York Times - Travel

Our greatest adventure was in 1970 when we were commissioned by National Geographic to photograph a camel caravan along frozen rivers in the Pamir mountains of Afghanistan.

The Guardian - Travel

And when we were commissioned to produce a series, before committing to it he asked to see the pilot we had made.

Independent

It drew its representatives from across Britain, but had recognised that it could not effectively transact the business nor hold the executive to account — which was why we were commissioned to help.

The Guardian

At the Low Impact Building Centre at Coventry University, we were commissioned by Orbit housing association to test how close current housing technology gets to the ideal, and what can be done to limit exposure to rising energy costs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"We are commissioning a lot at the moment," says Butterfield.

The Guardian - Books

We're commissioning on the #iamspartacus Twitter hashtag mentioned earlier.

The Guardian

I hope to share this experience with you through a new video series we are commissioning.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We describe the Oxford Aerial Tracking System OATSS) that we are commissioning, which takes a commercial airframe and low-level flight controller, and adapts these for use in applications requiring the visual tracking of ground targets.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

"What we're commissioning is what we think is interesting and you should know about, and that can be anywhere," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were commissioned", clearly state by whom the commission was made to provide context and authority to the statement. For example, "We were commissioned by the Department of Health...".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the agent performing the commissioning is clear. Omitting this information can weaken the impact and clarity of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were commissioned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) received an official assignment or authorization. Ludwig confirms that it's a correct expression. It often introduces a statement about work undertaken on behalf of another party, as shown in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were commissioned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that a group or organization has been officially assigned a task or project, as stated by Ludwig. The phrase functions to formally announce and legitimize this undertaking, signaling that the work is performed on behalf of an external entity. As Ludwig examples show, it's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, and maintains a professional tone. When using "we were commissioned", ensure you clearly state the commissioning agent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "we were tasked" or "we were assigned" can be used depending on the context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were tasked

Indicates a direct assignment of a task or duty, similar to being commissioned but often implying a more routine or less formal assignment.

we were assigned

Implies a formal allocation of a task or project, closely related to being commissioned but potentially broader in scope.

we were authorized

Focuses on the permission or approval aspect of being commissioned, emphasizing the legitimacy and backing for the task.

we were appointed

Suggests a more official designation, often used when being selected for a role or responsibility.

we were engaged

Highlights the active involvement and commitment to a project, similar to being commissioned but emphasizing the ongoing participation.

we were contracted

Emphasizes the contractual agreement behind the assignment, suitable when there's a formal agreement in place.

we were retained

Similar to contracted, indicating that our services were specifically kept or secured for a project.

we were selected

Focuses on the choice or preference aspect, indicating that we were chosen from a pool of candidates.

we received a mandate

Emphasizes that we were granted the official permission to do something, usually by voters or someone in power.

we undertook the commission

Highlights the proactive acceptance and undertaking of a commissioned project, emphasizing the initiation of the work.

FAQs

What does "we were commissioned" mean?

The phrase "we were commissioned" means that a group or organization has been officially asked or authorized to carry out a specific task or project, often by an external entity.

How can I use "we were commissioned" in a sentence?

You can use "we were commissioned" to indicate that your team or organization received an official assignment. For example, "We were commissioned by the city council to redesign the park."

What are some alternatives to saying "we were commissioned"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we were tasked", "we were assigned", or "we were authorized", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "we were commissioned" in formal writing?

Yes, "we were commissioned" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in reports, proposals, and official communications where you need to convey that your work is officially sanctioned and authorized.