I was respected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was respected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you received respect from others in the past. Example: "During my time at the university, I was respected by my peers for my dedication to my studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I was respected before.

The New Yorker

"I was respected," he told Gramophone, "but as a musician, as an artist.

The Guardian - Music

I had a good career as an HR advisor at an oil and gas company; it was well paid, secure and I was respected.

The Economist

On the hard days, I mourned my career -- a role where I was respected and people listened to me, where hard work met good outcomes.

Huffington Post

I mean, I was respected tremendously in there because of what I represent to this life and to those that go through that struggle.

Vice

I am also lucky because I have loved almost all my jobs: In my decades of paid work, I have felt valued, stimulated and challenged in flexible, humane, collegial environments, where I was respected and relatively well paid.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"With 'Breathless,' they said I was respecting the public, and I said I was fooling it.

The New Yorker

"I don't blab and I'm respected for it".

Independent

"I'm respected," she said, her voice breaking.

The New York Times

I feel like I am respected with the people.

The Guardian - Sport

"They think I'm an intellectual, I'm respected, and I suppose they like me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was respected" when you want to emphasize that you received respect from others in the past, often due to your achievements, position, or character. It's suitable for describing past professional experiences or personal relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "I was respected" when you actually mean "I am respected now". The phrase indicates a past state, so ensure it aligns with the timeline of your narrative. For present situations, use "I am respected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was respected" functions as a statement expressing a past state of being. It uses the passive voice to indicate that the speaker was the recipient of respect from others. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and generally accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was respected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that you received respect from others in the past. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase appears most commonly in news and media sources. Related phrases include "I earned respect" and "I was held in high regard", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the past tense aligns with the context you are describing to accurately convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was held in high regard

A more formal way of saying "I was respected".

I was well-regarded

Similar to "held in high regard", but slightly less formal.

I earned respect

Focuses on the effort made to gain respect.

I enjoyed respect

Highlights the positive experience of receiving respect.

I commanded respect

Emphasizes the speaker's role in earning the respect.

I was esteemed

A more formal and elevated term for being respected.

I garnered respect

Suggests a gradual accumulation of respect over time.

I was admired

Focuses on the positive feelings associated with respect.

People looked up to me

Indicates admiration and respect from others.

I was valued

Implies respect through appreciation of one's contributions.

FAQs

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

Saying "I was respected" means that in the past, you received admiration, deference, and high regard from others due to your qualities, abilities, achievements, or position.

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

It's appropriate to use "I was respected" when describing past experiences where you held a position or demonstrated qualities that earned you respect from others. For example, "During my tenure as CEO, "I was respected" for my leadership".

What are some alternatives to "I was respected"?

Alternatives include "I earned respect", "I commanded respect", "I was held in high regard", or "I was admired", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was respected"?

Yes, "I was respected" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense passive voice, indicating that you were the recipient of respect in the past. The active form would be something like "People respected me".