he was kicked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was kicked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action where someone was physically struck or pushed away by another person, typically in a violent or aggressive manner. Example: "During the altercation, he was kicked by one of the other players."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was kicked out.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was kicked out after 18 months.

The New York Times

He said he was kicked.

The Guardian - Sport

He was kicked out for asking too many questions.

The New York Times

Torba said he was kicked out for espousing conservative views.

The Washington Post

In other words, he was kicked out of "public" space.

The Guardian

"He was kicked and he was savagely beaten.

The New York Times

Before he could begin his sentence, he was kicked to death, probably by her four uncles.

Independent

He was kicked out of last year's Tour for head-butting a competitor.

The New York Times - Sports

He was kicked around in a way that makes today's critics of Obama seem gentle.

The New Yorker

He was kicked to the ground and stabbed, and needed ten hours of surgery.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was kicked", ensure the context clearly indicates who performed the action, even if stated implicitly, to avoid ambiguity in passive voice constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "he was kicked" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "He was kicked out of the band", consider "The band kicked him out" for a stronger statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was kicked" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being kicked. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard grammatical structure used extensively in various contexts. The passive voice allows focusing on the recipient of the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

General

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was kicked" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase primarily used in news, sports, and general contexts to describe someone being physically kicked or forcibly removed. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use. While its register is typically neutral, the specific context dictates the overall formality. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the performer of the action to avoid ambiguity, and consider whether an active voice construction might be more impactful. Alternatives like "he was expelled" or "he was thrown out" offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was booted out

Similar to 'thrown out' but slightly more informal.

he was thrown out

Suggests a more forceful and immediate removal.

he was given the boot

An idiomatic expression for being fired or dismissed.

he got expelled

Focuses on formal removal from a place or organization.

he was axed

Informal term indicating abrupt removal, especially from a job.

he was ousted

Implies removal from a position of power or influence.

he faced removal

Highlights the process or threat of being removed.

he was dismissed

Indicates a formal termination, typically from employment.

he was assaulted

Shifts the focus to the act of physical violence.

he was physically attacked

Emphasizes the physical nature of the aggression.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he was kicked" when describing expulsion?

Alternatives include "he was expelled", "he was thrown out", or "he was dismissed", depending on the context.

How to use "he was kicked" in a sentence about physical assault?

You can use "he was kicked" to describe a physical attack, as in "During the fight, "he was kicked" repeatedly by the attackers".

Which is correct, "he was kicked" or "he got kicked"?

Both "he was kicked" and "he got kicked" are grammatically correct, but "he was kicked" is generally considered more formal. "He got kicked" is more common in informal speech.

What's the difference between "he was kicked" and "he kicked"?

"He was kicked" is in the passive voice, meaning someone else performed the action on him. "He kicked" is in the active voice, meaning he performed the action on someone or something else.