I was relieved of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was relieved of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been freed from a duty, responsibility, or burden. Example: "After years of managing the project, I was relieved of my responsibilities and could finally take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

At school I was relieved of the language requirement because I was hopeless.

The New York Times

This year, I was relieved of taxi location duties and I got back to the digs high but dry.

Independent

Chosun Ilbo quoted Mr. Deng as saying in a telephone interview: "I was relieved of the position because of that article, and I'm suspended indefinitely.

The New York Times

What other broader lessons have you learned? A. A defining moment for me was when I was relieved of my job running ABC Entertainment.

The New York Times

"I'm not going to keep it a secret from you that they will do me a favor if their opinion was heard and I was relieved of this duty".

The New York Times

Reflecting on his dismissal, Clarke said: "I believe I have unfinished business at West Brom so it is with deep regret that I was relieved of duties as head coach.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I will walk and walk and regard nature's ageless, expressionless face, nature not watching me or barking at or sniffing me, nature that fears nothing in me and wants nothing from me, but simply takes me in and buries me with an utter lack of recognition, so that I am relieved of myself, emptied and erased from the reflections that I cast on nature and nature doesn't cast back.

The New Yorker

I am relieved of £8 and dispatched with the ghost of a smile.

BBC

I was relieved to find him free of open wounds but not thrilled about the reason he'd called.

Vice

When I left I was relieved to be out of the salon, and I haven't been back there since.

The New York Times - Style

I was relieved to get out of the caravan but couldn't go home without my suitcase – it contained the only clothes I owned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was relieved of" when you want to emphasize that you were happy to be freed from a task or responsibility. Make sure the context clearly indicates why the release was positive.

Common error

Avoid using "I was relieved of" when you actually mean you actively relieved someone else. The passive voice indicates the subject received the action, not performed it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was relieved of" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the speaker was the recipient of the action—being freed from some burden or obligation. Ludwig provides examples showing its versatile use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was relieved of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the feeling of being freed from a responsibility or duty. According to Ludwig, the phrase commonly appears in news and media contexts. While the expression is generally neutral in register, using it correctly involves understanding the passive voice and ensuring the context supports the sense of release and potential happiness associated with the removal of the burden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was freed from

Focuses on the sense of liberation from a responsibility.

I was released from

Highlights the act of being set free from a burden.

I was discharged from

Suggests a formal release from a duty or position.

I was taken off

A more informal way of saying "I was removed from".

I was exempt from

Indicates an exception from a general requirement.

I was removed from

Focuses on the act of being taken off a task or duty.

I was excused from

Implies permission not to fulfill an obligation.

I was spared from

Highlights the avoidance of an unpleasant task or experience.

I was absolved of

Suggests being cleared from blame or responsibility.

I was unburdened of

Emphasizes the removal of a heavy load or worry.

FAQs

How can I use "I was relieved of" in a sentence?

Use "I was relieved of" to indicate that you were freed from a duty, responsibility, or burden. For example, "I was relieved of my duties after the project concluded".

What does "I was relieved of" mean?

It means that someone or something caused a duty, responsibility, or burden to be removed from you. It suggests a sense of release or freedom.

What can I say instead of "I was relieved of"?

You can use alternatives like "I was freed from", "I was discharged from", or "I was excused from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am relieved of" or "I was relieved of"?

"I was relieved of" is used to describe a past event, while "I am relieved of" describes a present state. For example, "I was relieved of my duties yesterday," versus "I am relieved of my duties now that the project is over".