I was shown

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was shown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened to you in the past, usually implying that someone else demonstrated or pointed something out to you. For example, "My teacher showed me how to solve the math problem correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I was shown the valuables.

Yale University

I was shown to another line.

The New Yorker

I was shown this editorial by a PR.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And I must say I was shown to be right.

The Guardian

Then I was shown an elegant scoop of doorway.

The Guardian - Arts

"I was shown bark shelters with bent bark roofing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The resultant V ρ i is shown below.

BMC Systems Biology

I was showing that I had skills".

The New York Times

I was showing him my Duchamp books".

The Guardian - Film

I was showing up to work thin!

The New York Times

I was showing two films back to back.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more active voice construction might strengthen your writing; instead of "I was shown the results", you could write "The report showed me the results."

Common error

While "I was shown" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing vague. Be mindful of how often you use passive constructions, and revise for active voice when appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was shown" functions as a passive construction indicating that the speaker received a demonstration or presentation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate a wide range of contexts in which something was revealed to the speaker.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was shown" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates the speaker received a demonstration or presentation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, from News & Media to Academia. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what did the showing. For a more direct style, consider active voice alternatives. While suitable for most registers, be mindful of overusing the passive voice. Related phrases include "It was revealed to me" and "I was given a demonstration of", offering variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was given a demonstration of

More specifically indicates a formal presentation or display of how something works.

It was revealed to me

Emphasizes the act of revealing something, often unexpectedly, without specifying who or what did the showing.

I was made aware of

Highlights that the speaker became conscious or informed about something, not necessarily through a visual demonstration.

I received an explanation of

Indicates receiving information, potentially without a visual element, but with explicit instruction or clarification.

I had the opportunity to see

Highlights the chance or occasion that allowed the speaker to view something, differing from a directed demonstration.

I learned of

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, which may or may not have involved a visual element.

I witnessed

Focuses on the speaker's direct experience and observation of an event or situation.

I observed

Implies a more deliberate and analytical observation than simply being shown something.

I came to understand

Emphasizes a process of gaining comprehension, suggesting more depth than a simple showing.

I discovered

Highlights the speaker's active finding or uncovering of something, rather than being passively shown.

FAQs

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

Use "I was shown" to describe a situation where someone presented something to you or demonstrated how something works. For example, "I was shown the new prototype" or "I was shown how to use the software".

What's a more formal way to say "I was shown"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases such as "I was given a demonstration of" or "It was revealed to me". These options often sound more professional and less conversational.

What can I say instead of "I was shown" to emphasize discovery?

If you want to highlight that you actively discovered something, you could use "I discovered" or "I observed". These alternatives imply more agency on your part in the finding.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "I was shown"?

While "I was shown" is passive, sometimes it's suitable if the actor isn't important or known. However, using the active voice, such as "They showed me", can often make your writing more direct and engaging.