were entrusted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were entrusted with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been given responsibility or authority over something. Example: "The committee members were entrusted with the task of organizing the annual conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Until 1891, two umpires were entrusted with making the decisions.

The Guardian - Sport

In one experiment, people were entrusted with the care of a cute mouse.

University of California, Berkeley

Regional commanders were entrusted with a great deal of operational freedom.

The Guardian

When the Inquisition was established, Dominicans were entrusted with its execution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Slaves were entrusted with large sums of money and were given charge of long-distance caravans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mountain guides were entrusted with the task of shepherding important officials across the Alps.

The New York Times

This writing was taught by the priests who were entrusted with the education of the young boys.

Britannica

Cowanda Jones-Johnson and her husband, Richard Johnson, were entrusted with his care after his mother died.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It had been entrusted with taxpayers' money.

The Guardian

"I've been entrusted with so much".

The New York Times - Arts

He is entrusted with the count".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were entrusted with", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the entrusting. This clarifies the source of authority or responsibility being conferred.

Common error

Avoid using "was entrusted with" when referring to multiple subjects. The phrase "were entrusted with" is for plural subjects; use "was entrusted with" for singular subjects to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were entrusted with" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a subject has been given a specific responsibility, duty, or task. Ludwig examples show it is commonly used to describe the delegation of authority or responsibility to individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

17%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

17%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were entrusted with" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the delegation of responsibility or authority. Ludwig AI confirms that it's used across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media, Encyclopedias, Academia and Science. This phrase is best used when you want to emphasize that someone has been given a task with a certain degree of trust and confidence. When using the phrase, ensure correct subject-verb agreement and clearly indicate who is entrusting the responsibility. Alternatives like "were given the responsibility of" or "were charged with" can be used for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were given the responsibility of

Replaces "entrusted" with a more direct term for duty. Emphasizes the allocation of duty.

were charged with

Highlights the formal assignment of a task or duty. Implies an official mandate.

were delegated to

Focuses on the act of passing down authority or a task. Suggests a hierarchical structure.

were authorized to

Emphasizes the granting of official permission. Implies legal or formal approval.

were commissioned to

Suggests a formal request or order to carry out a specific task. Often used in professional contexts.

were appointed to

Highlights a formal selection or nomination for a role or duty. Often used in organizational settings.

were assigned to

Directly states that someone was given a specific task. Neutral in tone.

were empowered to

Highlights the granting of power or authority to someone. Emphasizes the enablement aspect.

were given the authority to

Similar to "authorized", but focuses more on the power granted. Conveys permission and control.

were held accountable for

Emphasizes responsibility and potential consequences. Implies oversight and evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "were entrusted with" in a sentence?

The phrase "were entrusted with" indicates that someone was given responsibility or authority over something. For example, "The committee members "were entrusted with" the task of organizing the annual conference."

What are some alternatives to "were entrusted with"?

You can use alternatives like "were given the responsibility of", "were charged with", or "were assigned to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were entrusted with"?

While "were entrusted with" is in the passive voice, it's often suitable when the focus is on the recipients of the responsibility rather than the granter. However, active voice can be clearer if you want to emphasize who did the entrusting.

What's the difference between "were entrusted with" and "were tasked with"?

"Were entrusted with" implies a degree of trust and confidence in the individuals, while "were tasked with" is a more neutral term simply indicating an assignment. "Were entrusted with" suggests a higher level of responsibility and potentially more sensitive duties.