he was killed

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was killed" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you need to indicate that someone met a violent or untimely death. For example: "John tragically lost his life last night in a car accident; he was killed instantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was killed in the shooting.

The Economist

He was killed instantly.

The New York Times

Then he was killed.

The New York Times

"Well, he was killed".

The New York Times

Before he was killed.

Independent

He was killed in 1950.

The New York Times

He was killed playing cricket".

The Guardian

He was killed in July.

The New York Times

He was killed, too.

The Guardian

He was killed, too.

The Guardian

I replied elusively: "He was killed quickly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was killed" when you want to clearly and directly state that someone's death was caused by an external force or event. It avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "he was killed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using active voice when appropriate, such as "someone killed him" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was killed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (he) was the recipient of the action (killed). Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. The examples demonstrate its use in various narrative and factual contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was killed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that someone's death resulted from an external action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, indicating the passive construction effectively communicates the event while often shifting focus away from the actor. Its prevalence in news and media sources, as well as encyclopedias and academic texts, highlights its neutral register and broad applicability. Remember to consider alternative phrasings, such as "he died" or "he was murdered", depending on the context and desired nuance to achieve the most appropriate impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he died

A more general term for death, without specifying the cause.

he was murdered

Specifies that his death was intentional and unlawful.

he was assassinated

Implies a politically motivated killing of a prominent figure.

he lost his life

A more formal and euphemistic way of saying he died.

he met his demise

A more literary and less direct way of saying he died.

he was slain

Suggests a violent and often heroic death, typically in battle or conflict.

he succumbed to his injuries

Indicates death resulting from wounds or trauma.

he was a casualty

Highlights that he died as a result of an event, often in war or disaster.

he was taken

A more abstract and often spiritual way to express his death.

he perished

A formal word for death, often suggesting a sudden or violent end.

FAQs

How to use "he was killed" in a sentence?

The phrase "he was killed" is typically followed by additional information about the circumstances of the death. For example: "He was killed in action", "he was killed by a drunk driver", or "he was killed instantly".

What can I say instead of "he was killed"?

You can use alternatives like "he died", "he was murdered", or "he lost his life" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

Both phrases are generally understood, but "he was killed" is considered more formal and grammatically correct. "He got killed" is more informal and common in spoken English.

What's the difference between "he was killed" and "he died"?

"He was killed" implies that an external force or action caused his death, while "he died" is a more general statement that doesn't specify the cause of death.