I was got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I was got' is not correct or usable in written English.
The phrase that should be used in place of 'I was got' is 'I was gotten.' For example: "I was gotten out of bed early this morning."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With my skirt in my hand, I was - got a hold of the knob.

Cornell University

My dearest mother,— This morning, about four o'clock, I was got up, just one hour after I retired, with the information that at six we were going to Richmond.

Wikipedia

I, little white girl that I was, got sent to see the nurse, while Jamie, little Black boy that he was, had to sit with the Assistant Principal until we could both go in and see the Big Lady together.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I was getting fatter.

The New Yorker

I was getting frustrated.

The New York Times - Sports

I was getting nervous.

The New Yorker

I was getting plump.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was getting so mad.

The New Yorker

I was getting really uncomfortable.

The New Yorker

I was getting D's.

The New York Times

"I was getting shitted on.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "I was got" in formal writing. Opt for more standard passive constructions or rephrase the sentence to use an active voice for clarity and correctness.

Common error

The common error is using "got" as a passive auxiliary verb. Instead of saying "I was got", use a correct passive form like "I was given" or rephrase the sentence in the active voice to avoid the passive construction altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was got" is intended as a passive construction, where the subject (I) is the recipient of an action. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically incorrect in standard modern English. This usage attempts to convey that the subject was acted upon.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was got" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern standard English. Ludwig AI suggests it should be "I was gotten" and that the examples provided, while demonstrating its occasional use, are either from specific historical contexts or represent non-standard usage. For clarity and correctness, it's best to use alternative passive constructions or rephrase sentences to use the active voice. As Ludwig has shown, options like "I was given", "I received", or an active voice construction provide better alternatives for conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was given

Focuses on the act of being given something, providing a clearer and more direct expression.

I was obtained

Emphasizes acquiring something, replacing the less formal "got" with a more standard verb.

I was picked

Offers a more informal alternative to "selected" or "chosen", while remaining grammatically correct.

I was received

Highlights the act of receiving something, offering a more formal tone than "got".

I was chosen

Similar to "selected" but can imply a more personal or deliberate decision.

I was selected

Implies a choice was made, suggesting a more specific context than the general "got".

I was taken

Indicates being moved or brought somewhere, shifting the focus from acquisition to movement.

I was made

Suggests being compelled or forced into a situation, adding a nuance not present in "got".

I was forced

Stronger emphasis on compulsion compared to "I was made".

I got

The sentence is rephrased omitting was to make it grammatically correct

FAQs

Is "I was got" grammatically correct?

No, "I was got" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. A more appropriate construction would be "I was "I was given"" or rephrasing the sentence to avoid the passive voice.

What are some alternatives to "I was got"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I was "I was given"", "I was "I received"", or "I "I obtained"".

When might I encounter the phrase "I was got"?

You might encounter "I was got" in older texts or in dialects where non-standard grammar is more common. However, it's best to avoid using it in formal writing.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "I was got" to be grammatically correct?

Rephrase the sentence using a different verb in the passive voice, such as "I was "I was chosen"", or rewrite the sentence in the active voice to eliminate the passive construction altogether.