got struck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got struck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been hit or affected by something suddenly or unexpectedly. Example: "He got struck by lightning while hiking in the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Then we got struck by lightning.

The New York Times

The phone was a foot away from where I was standing when I got struck.

The New Yorker

"It got struck by lightning, it was diseased, Sandy didn't help," she said.

The New York Times

There's a story about a guy who got struck by lightning and then became a very talented piano player.

Independent

During the mêlée I got struck quite forcibly in the gob and thought that I had knocked out a tooth.

The Guardian - Sport

So of course I'm glad the Defense of Marriage Act got struck down and that the California ruling came out as it did.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

People get struck by lightning?

Stanford University

Doctors who behave irresponsibly get struck off.

Independent

Although International Maritime Organization IMOO) has taken many measures to minimize ship collisions, ships carrying liquid cargo sometimes do get struck by other vessels.

Ocean Engineering

What could happen if Roe v. Wade gets struck down?

The Washington Post

I don't get struck by freak dreams.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got struck" to describe sudden, often forceful impacts or events, particularly when emphasizing the passive recipient of the action. For example, "The old tree got struck by lightning."

Common error

Avoid using "got struck" when the subject actively initiates the action; reserve it for instances where the subject is acted upon. Instead of "He got struck the ball", say "He struck the ball".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got struck" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received an action rather than initiating it. As Ludwig AI correctly indicates, the examples show its use in describing sudden impacts or unexpected events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "got struck" functions as a passive construction, effectively describing situations where a subject receives an impact or undergoes a sudden event. Ludwig AI indicates that it is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academia. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse communication scenarios. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "was impacted" may be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was hit

Direct synonym focusing on the physical impact or event.

was impacted

Emphasizes the effect or consequence of being struck, often used in a more formal context.

was affected

Highlights the influence or change resulting from the impact, broader in scope.

experienced

Focuses on the personal or subjective aspect of undergoing a sudden event.

encountered

Suggests a chance meeting or facing an unexpected challenge or force.

suffered

Implies negative consequences or harm resulting from the impact.

fell victim to

Highlights a lack of control and emphasizes the negative outcome.

was subjected to

Indicates that someone or something was exposed to an external force or event.

bore the brunt of

Highlights enduring the main force or impact of something.

came into contact with

Describes a more general interaction or collision.

FAQs

How can I use "got struck" in a sentence?

Use "got struck" to indicate that someone or something was unexpectedly hit or affected by something. Example: "The building "got struck" by a missile."

What are some alternatives to "got struck"?

You can use alternatives such as "was hit", "was impacted", or "was affected" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "He "got struck" by a car", you could say "He was hit by a car".

Is "got struck" formal or informal?

"Got struck" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both news reporting and casual conversation. More formal alternatives might include "was impacted" or "was subjected to".

What's the difference between "got struck" and "was struck"?

"Got struck" and "was struck" are often interchangeable, with "was struck" tending to sound slightly more formal. Both constructions indicate a passive action where the subject received the impact, but they do not have meaningful differences.