he was isolated

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "he was isolated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has been made to feel socially detached or physically separated from others. For example, "After spending time in prison, he was isolated from the rest of his community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He spoke up and said, 'It's not cool.' " In response, "he was isolated, and they started bullying him," she said.

The New York Times

He was isolated.

The Guardian

He was isolated and roundly condemned.

The Guardian - Books

Except for the coaches, he was isolated.

The New York Times

He was isolated until he apologised.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't agree he was isolated," Hodgson said.

The Guardian - Sport

He was isolated from his audience and occasionally confrontational with callers.

The New York Times

He was isolated and, despite all those incessant phone calls, alone.

The Guardian

He was isolated and not surrounded by monks, as he would have been at Rumtek.

The New York Times

He was isolated from other prisoners and kept on a suicide watch.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"He is isolated".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was isolated" to describe situations where someone experiences a lack of social interaction, support, or connection, whether physically or emotionally.

Common error

Don't assume that because "he was isolated", he was necessarily lonely. Isolation refers to the state of being separated, while loneliness is the subjective feeling of being alone and can occur even when someone is surrounded by others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was isolated" functions as a descriptive statement, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates a state of being separated or detached, either physically, socially, or emotionally. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was isolated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a state of separation or detachment. According to Ludwig AI, its purpose is to inform about a person's condition, and it maintains a neutral register applicable across various contexts. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Sport and Wiki sources, with authoritative sources including The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, be mindful of its objective nature, differentiating it from the subjective feeling of loneliness. Alternatives like "he was cut off" or "he felt detached" can provide nuanced meaning depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he felt detached

Focuses on the emotional feeling of separation and lack of connection.

he was on his own

Highlights self-reliance and lack of assistance from others.

he was left alone

Simple and direct expression of being without company or support.

he was cut off

Implies a sudden and forceful separation from others.

he was separated

A general term for being kept apart or divided from others.

he was excluded

Indicates being left out or not included in activities or groups.

he was alienated

Emphasizes a sense of estrangement and disconnection from society or others.

he was ostracized

Suggests social exclusion and rejection by a group.

he was secluded

Highlights physical separation and a preference for being alone.

he was marginalized

Implies being pushed to the edge of society and lacking power or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "he was isolated" in a sentence?

You can use "he was isolated" to describe a state of physical or social separation. For example, "After the scandal, "he was ostracized" and he was isolated from his friends."

What are some alternatives to saying "he was isolated"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "he was cut off", "he was excluded", or "he was left alone".

Is it correct to say "he is isolated" or should it be "he was isolated"?

"He is isolated" describes a current state of isolation, while "he was isolated" describes a past state. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the isolation.

What's the difference between "he was isolated" and "he felt isolated"?

"He was isolated" describes an objective state of separation, whereas "he felt isolated" describes a subjective feeling of loneliness or disconnection, which may or may not correspond to actual isolation.