Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

I was retrieved

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was retrieved" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is taken back or brought back to a place or situation, often in a technical or metaphorical sense. Example: "After the data was lost, I was retrieved from the backup system to restore the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Pulsotype I was retrieved from 18 out of 22 isolates (17 carcass halves) (Figure 2).

Only IRAC I was retrieved from nymphs (7 independent clones), and IxAC-B1 and IxAC-B5 from larvae (2 and 1 clones respectively).

Science

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Thankfully, as I was retrieving my lead pipe, gun and flak jacket, he confirmed that these TROLLS were in fact virtual, and existed in hyperspace.

News & Media

The Guardian

The Sox-like and Cic-like sequences of Monosiga brevicollis, and the Cic, Tcf, and Lef homologues of Homo sapiens, Drosophila melanogaster, and Capitella sp. I were retrieved from NCBI.

Science

Plosone

A total of 1,148 sequences of human mtDNA hypervariable segment I were retrieved from Genbank from published work (Table 2), from humans close to the hosts from which H. pylori strains had been cultured: non-Bantu Africans, Spanish, Koreans, Amerindians (Guahibo, Huitoto, Inuit) and South American Mestizos.

Science

Plosone

Indeed, the genes coding for a complete proton-translocating respiratory chain complex I were retrieved (nuoA- nuoN; APA386B_556 - APA386B_567; Figure  5C).

In a very small way, I'm retrieving material that would otherwise be ignored".

News & Media

The New York Times

When the fabric has been properly "distressed" — i.e., mauled — it is retrieved from the enclosures and made into trousers that are sold under the label Zoo Jeans.

News & Media

The New Yorker

HVS-I target was retrieved from 3 samples (PN6, PN14, PN15), which enabled determination of the human mtDNA haplotypes (L3e2, L3d1, L1c2, respectively) (Table).

The catalogued set of resequenced alleles for class I HLA-B was retrieved from the IMGT/HLA Sequence Database (release 2.17 04/2007) [ 1].

The temperate.contig119 is a light harvesting complex from photosystem I type b and was retrieved from the temperate-enriched library.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was retrieved" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of being brought back or recovered, especially in technical or formal contexts. For instance, in data recovery scenarios, or when discussing system backups.

Common error

Avoid using "I was retrieved" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I was brought back" or "I got it back" in such cases.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was retrieved" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject ('I') is the recipient of the action (being retrieved). Ludwig examples show it used in contexts of data or objects being recovered.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was retrieved" is a grammatically correct passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced the action of being brought back or recovered. Though not very common, according to Ludwig's examples, the phrase is most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts. Its formal tone makes it suitable for technical writing or situations where the emphasis is on the action performed rather than the actor. Common alternatives include phrases like "I was recovered" or "I was brought back", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid, but its formality should be considered when choosing it for your writing.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was retrieved" when describing a situation where you are brought back or recovered from somewhere, typically in a technical or formal context. For example: "After the system crashed, I was retrieved from the backup server".

What's a more common way to say "I was retrieved"?

More common alternatives include "I was recovered", "I was rescued", or "I was brought back", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was retrieved"?

Yes, "I was retrieved" is grammatically correct, but it sounds formal. It's best suited for technical or formal writing, especially when emphasizing the passive nature of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

When should I use "I was retrieved" instead of "I was recovered"?

Use "I was retrieved" when you want to emphasize the act of being fetched or extracted, often from a specific location or system. "I was recovered" is more general and suggests a return to a normal state after a problem.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: