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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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I was objective

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was objective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where you maintained impartiality or neutrality in your judgment or analysis. Example: "During the debate, I was objective in presenting both sides of the argument without bias."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I hope that's what I did, because I felt like I was objective".

Well…" Then that's when I was objective; when I was looking at the choice of wardrobe and things, and I'm saying, "Well, I don't want to repeat that.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Because I had no clue of what the NFL was, I had no fear in me, and because I did not know what football was, I had no bias, so my mind was pristine, was virginal, I was objective, as objective as I could be.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I am objective there, I cannot help it; I must be objective after a preposition".

News & Media

The New Yorker

If I'm objective I can say to myself, "You know what?

News & Media

The Guardian

"Or, 'Oh, I didn't play in Tampa.' And 'Oh, can I be objective now that I'm calling the game?' Maybe I'm biased because I played here and I know how exciting it is.

As a journalist (I also write for newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times), I'm objective.

News & Media

TechCrunch

"I'm a realist, I'm objective," he said.

News & Media

Huffington Post

I don't think I'm objective at all; I'm just observing things in a very unromantic way, as little nostalgia as possible because I don't have the reference of being born here to be nostalgic about.

News & Media

Vice

When I try to be objective, I guess I understand why a builder might have wanted to start from scratch.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I was asked point-blank at a major university if, as a Muslim, I would be objective about Muslims.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey impartiality, use "I was objective" to indicate a conscious effort to set aside personal feelings and biases. This phrase is particularly effective in professional or journalistic contexts where neutrality is expected.

Common error

Avoid using "I was objective" to imply complete detachment. While objectivity requires minimizing bias, it doesn't mean you lack empathy or understanding. It simply means you've made a conscious effort to be fair and impartial in your assessment.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was objective" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past state of mind. It asserts that the speaker maintained impartiality or a lack of bias in a particular context. Ludwig provides examples from news and media, confirming its usage in describing past actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was objective" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey that one maintained impartiality or neutrality in a specific past situation. As Ludwig's examples and AI suggest, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to assure the audience of fairness and a lack of bias. While the phrase is relatively rare, it effectively communicates a commitment to an unbiased perspective. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that it accurately reflects a genuine effort to minimize personal bias without implying complete detachment.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I was objective"?

Saying "I was objective" means that you approached a situation, decision, or assessment with impartiality and without allowing personal feelings or biases to influence your judgment.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I was objective"?

It's appropriate to use "I was objective" when you want to emphasize that you made an effort to be fair and unbiased in your evaluation or decision-making process, especially in situations where impartiality is expected or required.

What are some alternatives to saying "I was objective"?

You can use alternatives like "I remained impartial", "I stayed unbiased", or "I kept a neutral perspective" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "I was objective" and "I am objective"?

"I was objective" refers to a specific past event or situation where you maintained impartiality. "I am objective" describes a general characteristic or approach that you typically adopt. The choice depends on whether you're describing a specific instance or a general trait.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: