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
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
I was retrieved
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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
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 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
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
Indeed, the genes coding for a complete proton-translocating respiratory chain complex I were retrieved (nuoA- nuoN; APA386B_556 - APA386B_567; Figure 5C).
Science
In a very small way, I'm retrieving material that would otherwise be ignored".
News & Media
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
HVS-I target was retrieved from 3 samples (PN6, PN14, PN15), which enabled determination of the human mtDNA haplotypes (L3e2, L3d1, L1c2, respectively) (Table).
Science
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].
Science
The temperate.contig119 is a light harvesting complex from photosystem I type b and was retrieved from the temperate-enriched library.
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
I was recovered
Focuses on regaining something lost or returning to a normal state after a problem.
I have been recovered
Focuses on the action being completed in the past with continuing relevance to the present.
I got retrieved
Less formal way of saying I was retrieved. Uses "got" as the auxiliary verb, indicating a more casual tone.
I've been rescued
Implies a dangerous or difficult situation from which someone was saved. Adds a sense of urgency or relief.
I was extracted
Suggests a careful or precise removal, often from a specific location or situation.
I was brought back
Highlights the act of returning someone or something to a previous state or location.
I was restored
Suggests a return to a previous, often better, condition, implying repair or renewal.
I was salvaged
Emphasizes the saving of something from potential loss or destruction.
I was redeployed
Suggests a reassignment or reuse, often in a professional or strategic context.
I was reclaimed
Highlights the act of taking something back or asserting ownership, often after a period of absence.
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.
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.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested