I was visited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was visited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone came to see you in the past. Example: "Last week, I was visited by an old friend who I hadn't seen in years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Within hours, I was visited by a slight tingling of the shoulders.

The New Yorker

A few years later, I was visited by my best friend from high school, who intimated that he was gay.

The New York Times

But on Christmas Eve I was visited by three spirits of the season past, present and yet-to-be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Looking at the image, I was visited by the feeling that I had been somewhere like it before.

The New Yorker

On Tuesday morning I was visited by a process server acting on behalf of Sheffield city council, the council I sit on as a Green party member.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was sent to my GP that afternoon, he promptly informed local mental health officials, and within days I was visited and assessed at home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

(Pause) I was visiting a friend.

The New Yorker

"I was visiting a friend.

The Guardian

I was visiting my cool aunt.

The Guardian - Film

"I was visiting Kelley [her sister].

The Guardian - Music

The girl I was visiting looked embarrassed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "I was visited" is grammatically correct, using more direct language, such as "Someone came to see me", might be more appropriate for informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "I was visited" when the active voice would be more direct and engaging. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound impersonal or evasive. For example, instead of saying "I was visited by the police," consider "The police visited me."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was visited" functions as a passive voice construction, where the subject ('I') receives the action ('visited'). This construction is used to emphasize the experience of being visited rather than the actor who performed the visiting. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly appears in news and narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was visited" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used in News & Media contexts to describe the experience of receiving a visit, often emphasizing the speaker's role or the unexpected nature of the event. While acceptable in various settings, it's essential to consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct and engaging. Alternatives like "I received a visit" or "Someone came to see me" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. The phrase is considered to have neutral register and is deemed 'Correct' by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received a visit

Emphasizes the act of receiving, maintaining a formal tone.

Someone came to see me

A more direct and informal way of expressing the same event.

I had a visitor

Focuses on the existence of a visitor, less on the action.

I was paid a call

More formal and somewhat archaic, implying a brief visit.

I experienced a visitation

Suggests a more profound or spiritual encounter.

I was called upon

Implies a formal or official visit.

I had company

Focuses on the social aspect of having someone present.

I played host to someone

Shifts the focus to the speaker's role as a host.

A guest arrived to see me

Highlights the arrival of a guest specifically to see the speaker.

I found myself in company

Suggests a more unexpected or accidental encounter.

FAQs

What does "I was visited" mean?

The phrase "I was visited" means that someone came to see you. It implies that you were the recipient of a visit, often unexpectedly.

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

You can use alternatives like "I received a visit", "someone came to see me", or "I had a visitor" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I was visited" or "Someone visited me"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "Someone visited me" is more direct and active. "I was visited" emphasizes that you were the recipient of the action and might be more appropriate when the visitor is unknown or the visit is unexpected.

When is it appropriate to use "I was visited"?

Use "I was visited" when you want to emphasize the fact that you were the recipient of a visit, particularly if the visitor or event is significant. It is often used in formal or narrative contexts.