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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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acted on

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acted on" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe an action or a reaction taken in response to something. For example, "The company acted on feedback from customers and released a new version of its product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fortunately, no one acted on the suggestion.

News & Media

Vice

No one ever acted on it.

News & Media

Huffington Post

They've acted on faith.

News & Media

The Guardian

This suggestion can be acted on immediately.

News & Media

The New York Times

Bingham acted on it.

News & Media

The New York Times

I would have acted on it".

"It needed to be acted on".

News & Media

The New York Times

But other proposals have been acted on.

News & Media

The Economist

He acted on television shows like "B.

News & Media

The New York Times

He has not acted on the impulse.

News & Media

The New York Times

Lawmakers have not acted on that recommendation.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acted on" when you want to emphasize that a decision, advice, or information prompted a specific action or response.

Common error

Avoid using "acted on" in contexts where a passive voice construction would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The problem was acted on by the committee", a clearer phrasing might be "The committee acted on the problem".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "acted on" typically functions as the main verb in a sentence, indicating that someone or something has taken action as a result of a preceding influence, suggestion, or piece of information. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "acted on" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to indicate that an action was taken as a consequence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, including news, academic writing, and business communications. While alternatives like "responded to" or "took action on" exist, "acted on" is direct and effective. Remember to avoid using it in passive voice constructions for optimal clarity.

FAQs

How do I use "acted on" in a sentence?

Use "acted on" to describe an action taken as a result of something else. For example, "The government "acted on" the recommendations of the report".

What's a good alternative to "acted on"?

Depending on the context, you could use "responded to", "took action on", or "followed through with" as alternatives to "acted on".

Is it correct to say "was acted on"?

While grammatically possible in a passive construction, it's often better to rephrase the sentence for clarity. For example, instead of "The suggestion was acted on", consider "The committee "acted on" the suggestion".

What is the difference between "acted on" and "acted upon"?

While "acted upon" is also correct, "acted on" is more commonly used in modern English. Both phrases mean to take action based on something.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: