I was governed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was governed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing being under the control or influence of a governing body or authority in the past. Example: "During the colonial period, I was governed by foreign powers that dictated our laws and customs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"All my life I was governed by fun; every day's Christmas Day, every night's New Year's Eve.

The New York Times

Related: Republican Iran letter not the action of 'reasonable people', says Clinton Clinton also said at the press conference she "fully complied with every rule I was governed by".

The Guardian

Clinton's insistence that she "fully complied with every rule I was governed under" drew quick comparisons from pundits to Al Gore's infamous 1997 statement about fundraising that "there was no controlling legal authority".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Therefore, H i is governed by the probability density p_{H}(mathbf{H}_{i} propto e^{-text{tr} mathbf{H}_{i}mathbf{H}_{i}^{dag}}.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The risky asset prices S i are governed by the stochastic differential equations d S i, t S i, t = ( r + μ i ) d t + σ i ′ d W t j, for  i = 1, 2, …, n, (2.1).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Each channel is modeled by a finite-state Markov chain (FSMC) [15], where the state evolution of channel i is governed by the transition probability (P_{g_{i}^{(t)}g_{i}^{(t+1)}}=Prleft (g_{i}^{(t+1)^{phantom {A}}}|g_{i}^{(t)}right)).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The Markov chain S i is governed by the state transition matrix Q ij = { q ij m, n)}3×3 with q ij m, n) = Prob(S ij = n| S i(j−1) = m).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Given the observed signal X i to be the sum of a NB and a Poisson, the probability distribution of X i is governed by a Delaporte distribution, which is the convolution of a NB distribution with a Poisson distribution [ 8, 9].

BMC Genomics

Through log-odds, the Rasch model specifies that the probability of response of person n to item i is governed by location B n for the subject (person measure) and location D i for the item (item calibration), along a common continuum of measurement: Log [ P ni 1/ P ni 0] = B n - D i where, P ni 1 is the probability of a " Yes" response to item i and P ni 0 is the probability of a " No" response.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"I'm governed by the potentialities of radio," he told The New York Post in 1944.

The New York Times - Arts

My anxiety is a reminder that I am governed by my physiology – that what happens in the body may do more to determine what happens in the mind than the other way around.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was governed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what exerted the control. Providing specific details strengthens the statement and adds clarity.

Common error

Be mindful of passive voice overuse. While "I was governed" is grammatically sound, ensure the sentence includes clear information about who or what did the governing. Otherwise, the sentence might lack clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was governed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) was the recipient of an action (governing). This construction emphasizes the state of being controlled or influenced by an external force. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was governed" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a past state of being under control or influence. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, and the examples provided showcase its usage in various contexts, primarily news, media, and scientific publications. While not exceedingly common, it serves to convey how external factors shaped actions or decisions. Alternatives such as "I was ruled" or "I was controlled" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the governing entity or principle to enhance the statement's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was ruled

Replaces "governed" with "ruled", emphasizing a more authoritarian or dictatorial control.

I was controlled

Focuses on the exertion of direct power or influence over someone.

I was subject to

Indicates a state of being under the authority or influence of something.

I was under the authority of

Highlights the formal power or control exerted by a governing body or person.

I was regulated by

Emphasizes the imposition of rules and guidelines.

I was influenced by

Shows a subtler form of control, where choices and actions are guided but not dictated.

I was directed by

Suggests guidance or instructions influencing decisions and actions.

I was managed by

Implies administration or oversight in a structured manner.

I was administered by

Highlights the procedural aspects of control and governance.

I was bound by

Conveys the idea of being obligated or restricted by certain rules or laws.

FAQs

How can I use "I was governed" in a sentence?

You can use "I was governed" to describe a past state of being under the control or influence of a particular authority, principle, or system. For example, "During my time as a student, I was governed by a strict honor code."

What's a more formal way to say "I was governed"?

A more formal alternative to "I was governed" could be "I was subject to" or "I was under the authority of". These options convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

What can I say instead of "I was governed" to emphasize direct control?

If you want to emphasize direct control, consider using alternatives like "I was controlled" or "I was ruled". These options highlight the exertion of power or influence over you. See also "I was controlled".

Is it better to use "I was governed by" or "I was governed under"?

"I was governed by" is generally the preferred and more common phrasing. "I was governed under" is less frequently used and might sound awkward in some contexts. Examples of Ludwig show the prevalence of "I was governed by" phrase.