fire was checked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fire was checked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a situation in which a fire has been controlled or extinguished. Example: "After the firefighters arrived, the fire was checked, and the situation was brought under control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That fire was checked by a different political imperative: the need to listen to and respect the stories of women who have suffered at the hands of men.

The New Yorker

The 1845 fire demonstrated the efficacy of these restrictions, as the progress of the fire was checked when it spread toward areas rebuilt after the 1835 fire with such materials as stone, masonry, and iron roofs and shutters.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The iBMB parametric fire curves are checked and validated by comparison with results of different heat balance models and with published fire tests from different fire research laboratories.

Fire Safety Journal

A landowner spotted what appeared to be human bones Thursday as he was checking fire damage to his property off Latigo Canyon Road, about a mile north of Ocean View Road, near mile marker 6.92, Sgt. Marcelo Quintero said.

Los Angeles Times

A landowner spotted what appeared to be human bones last week as he was checking fire damage to his property off Latigo Canyon Road, about a mile north of Ocean View Road, Sgt. Marcelo Quintero said.

Los Angeles Times

The Israeli military said that soldiers engaged in routine activity along the border came under fire and fired back, and that it was checking on reports of the boy's death.

The New York Times

Andrew Mackintosh, from the company, said it could be several months before the fire could even be checked.

BBC

Michael Maynard, a fire captain with CalFire who was checking on his parents' home in a rural development built a few decades ago, said he jumped through flames to save four residents, one in capri pants and flip-flops, who were fighting a fire on their own.

The New York Times

We carried out quarterly block inspections, and a huge part of that work was checking the fire-safety of each block.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its screen was alight with news of a fire in Chelsea, and instantly he was checking in with the Fire Department's war room in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

His company, Bigge Crane and Rigging, was checking and trimming fire-damaged trees, which authorities had warned posed a danger to returning residents and an army of insurance auditors, utility workers and repairmen.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fire was checked", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the checking action (e.g., "The firefighters checked the fire").

Common error

Avoid using "fire was checked" in situations where it's unclear whether the fire was merely inspected or actually brought under control. Use a more specific term like "contained" or "extinguished" for clarity if applicable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fire was checked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the fire received the action of being checked. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable, which is evident from its use in multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fire was checked" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to communicate that a fire's spread or intensity has been assessed and brought under control. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it's primarily found in news and factual contexts, indicating a neutral register. While alternatives like "fire was contained" or "fire was extinguished" may offer more specificity, the phrase remains a useful way to convey that a fire has been managed effectively. Due to its relatively low occurrence, ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fire was contained

Emphasizes the limitation of the fire's spread within a specific area.

fire was extinguished

Indicates the fire has been completely put out.

fire was suppressed

Highlights the act of actively reducing the intensity of the fire.

fire's spread was checked

Focuses specifically on preventing the fire from spreading further.

fire was under control

Suggests the fire's behavior is being managed and it is not spreading uncontrollably.

fire was brought under control

Similar to "fire was under control" but emphasizes the action of gaining control.

fire was halted

Focuses on the cessation of the fire's progress.

fire's progress was stopped

Rephrases to emphasize that the spread of the fire was impeded.

fire was limited

Highlights the restriction of the fire's impact or scope.

fire was boxed in

Suggests the fire was surrounded and prevented from spreading.

FAQs

What does "fire was checked" mean?

The phrase "fire was checked" means that the fire's progress or intensity was assessed and controlled, often implying that measures were taken to prevent it from spreading or escalating. It can also mean that the fire was extinguished. Similar phrases include /s/fire+was+contained, /s/fire+was+suppressed or /s/fire+was+extinguished.

How can I use "fire was checked" in a sentence?

You can use "fire was checked" to describe a situation where a fire's spread or intensity was assessed and actions were taken to control it. For example, "The firefighters ensured the fire was checked before leaving the scene".

What are some alternatives to "fire was checked"?

Alternatives to "fire was checked" include "fire was contained", "fire was suppressed", or "fire was extinguished" depending on the specific context and degree of control achieved.

Is it correct to say "the fire is checked"?

While grammatically sound, "the fire is checked" is less common than "fire was checked". The past tense version usually implies a completed action of assessment and control, whereas the present tense might suggest an ongoing process or a habitual action.