Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
I was applied
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "I was applied" is not correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in speech if you are referring to something that was applied to you, such as sunscreen, but it is not generally used in written English. Instead, you could use the phrase "I applied" in a sentence such as: "I applied to the job yesterday."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
I just started
I just recognized
I just cleaned
I was selected
I just moped
I just was
My former employer was
I just enrolled
I just sat
I was used
pressure was applied to me
I was a staff member at
I used to work at
I was implemented
I was acquired
I was suggested
I was consumed
I simply departed
I almost went
I then proceeded
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
10 human-written examples
In phase II, the best treatment from phase I was applied for 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 h in order to optimize the application time.
Science
In this work, the rigorous model for species concentration distribution prediction proposed in part I was applied in simulating the biological degradation process of toluene in a bubble column (BC) reactor.
Science
The model explained in Part I was applied to calculate the influence of pH gradients on the selectivity of the diazo coupling between 1-naphthol and diazotised sulphanilic acid.
Science
Real-time PCR based on SYBR Green I was applied for accurate quantification of the target sequence in the current study.
Science
The same statistical design as for cohort I was applied for cohort II.
Science
The coefficient of inconsistency (I) was applied to assess heterogeneity between studies [ 53].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
The weight G corr, i is applied to the detail coefficients of all 3 directions.
Science
The LOCF mean change analysis of HAMD17, CGI-S and PGI-I was applied to all three databases.
Science
A CGI-I was applied in the studies included in the TRI database, to assess a patient's subjective perception about the change of tinnitus over time [ 31].
44 The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) was applied as a measure of fear of falling, 45 while symptoms of depression were recorded using the German version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
However, if the same diagnostic definition at the time of TURDEP-I was applied in the current survey and the population's age distribution was standardized to TURDEP-I population, the prevalence of diabetes should be 11.4 % (95 % CI: 11.0 11.8 % [men: 9.7; 95 % CI: 9.2 10.3 %, women: 12.7; 95 % CI: 12.1 13.3 %]).
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always check the context: In limited scenarios (e.g., describing a medical procedure), "I was applied" might be technically correct, but usually requires rephrasing.
Common error
Avoid using "I was applied" when you mean to express that you performed an action. This phrasing often leads to awkward and unclear sentences. Choose the active voice whenever possible.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "I was applied" functions primarily as a passive voice construction. Ludwig AI shows that it's often used incorrectly or awkwardly, suggesting a misunderstanding of active versus passive voice. It implies the subject received the action rather than performing it.
Frequent in
News & Media
48%
Science
40%
Formal & Business
12%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "I was applied" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be used with caution. Ludwig AI confirms that its primary function is a passive construction that often leads to unclear or awkward sentences. Prefer active voice alternatives such as "I applied" or rephrase to clarify the intended meaning. While it appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, its usage is often the result of grammatical errors rather than intentional stylistic choice. It is therefore advisable to avoid this phrase in formal writing and strive for clearer, more direct language.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
I applied
Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, indicating the subject performed the action.
It was applied to me
Shifts focus to what was done to the subject, maintaining a passive structure but with improved clarity.
I submitted my application
Specifies the action of submitting an application, providing a concrete alternative.
I utilized
Replaces "applied" with a synonym that emphasizes usage or implementation.
I made use of
Similar to "I utilized", highlighting the action of employing something for a purpose.
I implemented
Focuses on putting something into effect or carrying it out.
I put into practice
Emphasizes the practical application of a method or idea.
I set in motion
Indicates initiating or starting a process or action.
I took action
General phrase to express one has begun to put their plans into practice.
I initiated
Similar to “I set in motion”, highlights starting point.
FAQs
How can I rephrase the sentence "I was applied" to make it more grammatically correct?
Depending on the context, you can use active voice constructions like "I applied" if you performed the action. Alternatively, if the action was done to you, "It was applied to me" is a better option.
What's the difference between "I applied" and "I was applied"?
"I applied" indicates that you performed the action. On the other hand, "I was applied" is often grammatically incorrect unless you're describing something being done to you, but even then, rephrasing for clarity is recommended. For example, use alternatives such as "it was applied to me".
When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I was applied"?
While rarely appropriate, "I was applied" could be used in very specific passive constructions where something was done to you, but often a clearer phrasing exists. For example, instead of "I was applied pressure", one should use "pressure was applied to me".
Are there any situations where "I was applied" is grammatically correct?
In highly technical or specialized contexts, it might be grammatically valid, but it is still uncommon and can usually be improved. The example sources from Ludwig AI show the phrase is often part of a larger, grammatically questionable sentence structure. Therefore, it should be rephrased.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested