Was celebrated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Was celebrated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an event or occasion was acknowledged or honored in the past. Example: "The anniversary of the founding of the organization was celebrated with a grand ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then his birthday was celebrated.

The New Yorker

Enduring hardship was celebrated.

The Guardian - Books

The home where every birthday was celebrated?

The New York Times

His release was celebrated the world over.

The New York Times

His fall was celebrated all over Italy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The movie was celebrated all over….

The New Yorker

Lillian Leitzel's grandmother was celebrated trapeze artist.

The New Yorker

Diego Maradona was celebrated for his flaws.

The New York Times

Mahmood, by contrast, was celebrated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Describe how San Juan Day was celebrated.

Yale University

Last year, Jason Bay was celebrated with a bobblehead.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Was celebrated" to emphasize the public acknowledgement or honoring of an event, person, or achievement. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the celebrating.

Common error

Avoid using "Was celebrated" without specifying who did the celebrating, as this can make the sentence vague. Ensure the agent of celebration is either explicitly stated or clear from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Was celebrated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject (event, person, or achievement) received recognition or honor. It often implies a public or communal acknowledgement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

19%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Was celebrated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that highlights the recognition or honor bestowed upon an event, person, or achievement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is deemed correct and is commonly found in news and media, academia, and wiki sources. When using "Was celebrated", it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the celebrating. While alternatives like "was commemorated" or "was honored" exist, "Was celebrated" often implies a joyful or festive acknowledgement. Thus, focusing on how the passive voice is used will ensure clarity in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was honored

Emphasizes the act of bestowing respect or admiration.

Was commemorated

Focuses on remembering an event or person, often with a formal ceremony.

Was recognized

Highlights acknowledgement and appreciation.

Was observed

Indicates a formal or traditional acknowledgement of a day or event.

Was marked

Implies setting apart or acknowledging an event.

Was paid tribute to

Suggests showing respect and admiration.

Was lauded

Indicates praise and admiration.

Was feted

Implies a lavish celebration or party.

Was given prominence

Highlights the importance and visibility given to an event.

Was greatly appreciated

Emphasizes the feeling of thankfulness associated with the event.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "Was celebrated"?

You can use alternatives like "was commemorated", "was honored", or "was recognized" depending on the context.

How do I use "Was celebrated" in a sentence?

Use "Was celebrated" to describe an event or achievement that received public acknowledgement or honor. For example, "The anniversary of the company's founding was celebrated with a gala event."

What is the difference between "Was celebrated" and "Was commemorated"?

"Was celebrated" implies a joyful or festive acknowledgement, while "was commemorated" suggests a more solemn remembrance, often of a historical event or deceased person.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "celebrate"?

It depends on the focus. Active voice (e.g., "They celebrated the victory") emphasizes who is doing the celebrating. Passive voice ("Was celebrated") emphasizes the event being celebrated. Choose the voice that best suits the context and desired emphasis.