Comprehensive Guide to the Word “Hired”
hired – Definition and Part of Speech
The word hired functions as both a verb (past tense and past participle) and an adjective in English. As a verb, it describes the act of engaging someone’s services in exchange for payment. When used as an adjective, it pertains to individuals who have been engaged or employed under such terms.
Core Synonyms
Here’s a table detailing key synonyms for hired, highlighting their nuances and usage contexts:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employed | Focuses on ongoing employment or job retention. | “She was employed as a software developer.” | Formal/Academic |
| Engaged | Often used for contractual services. | “The event planner engaged a band for the weekend gala.” | Semi-formal/Business |
| Retained | Implies ongoing use of a person’s skills or advice. | “They retained a lawyer to handle the merger negotiations.” | Formal/Professional |
| Contracted | Suggests formal agreement, often temporary. | “The company contracted an IT specialist for six months.” | Business/Formal |
| Appointed | Commonly used in official or organizational contexts. | “He was appointed as the new CEO of the company.” | Formal/Official |
Usage Notes
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Employed is versatile and frequently used across different contexts, including both formal business documents and casual conversations about job status.
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Engaged has a slightly more formal tone and is often associated with specific events or tasks, making it suitable for invitations or contracts.
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Retained tends to be used in professional settings where expertise is required on an ongoing basis, such as legal or consulting services.
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Contracted suggests a fixed-term agreement and is particularly relevant in industries like construction, IT services, or freelance work.
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Appointed implies a formal decision-making process by an authority figure or organization, often used for roles within companies or governmental positions.
Common Pitfalls
One common mistake is using hired interchangeably with synonyms without considering the context. For example:
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Using appointed instead of hired can imply an official selection rather than a transactional employment agreement.
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Retained implies ongoing services, whereas hired might simply mean acquiring services for a specific task or period.
Final Recap
In summary, while synonyms like employed, engaged, retained, contracted, and appointed share similarities with the word hired, each carries distinct nuances that make them more appropriate in certain contexts.
- Employed is broadly applicable to job situations.
- Engaged focuses on specific contractual engagements.
- Retained implies a longer-term or ongoing service.
- Contracted highlights formal agreements, often temporary.
- Appointed suggests an official selection process.
By understanding and practicing the use of these synonyms in different contexts, you can enhance both your written and spoken English. Try incorporating them into sentences relevant to your experiences or consider using them in discussions to clarify roles and responsibilities more accurately. This practice will deepen your appreciation for word choice and its impact on communication.