he was robbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'He was robbed' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in the following sentence: "The police report stated that he was robbed on his way home from work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said he was robbed.

The New York Times

He was robbed on the way home.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was robbed and Aspas was away.

The Guardian - Sport

"He was robbed," she said of Galarraga's performance.

The New York Times - Sports

He was robbed twice by a group of rough sleepers.

The Guardian

In the end, he was robbed of his human dignity".

The New York Times - Health

On his way, he was robbed and shot and killed with an AK-47.

The New York Times

In May 2009 he was robbed at gunpoint in a Toronto restaurant.

The New York Times - Arts

Now the famous manic giggle became slurred and he was robbed of his fine tenor voice.

The Guardian

He was robbed of a Tony, but the entire cast and production were luminous.

The New Yorker

There was no way Fury could lose unless he was robbed, and he wasn't: he won a unanimous decision.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he was robbed", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of loss experienced, whether it's material, financial, or opportunity-related.

Common error

Avoid using "he was robbed" in contexts where the loss is due to mismanagement or poor decision-making, as it implies a deliberate act of theft or injustice by another party.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was robbed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone was the recipient of the action of being robbed. Ludwig examples confirm its use in reporting incidents of theft and injustice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was robbed" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone has experienced a loss due to theft, fraud, or an unjust situation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's accuracy and appropriateness in written English. Its frequency and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, make it a versatile expression. While generally neutral in register, formal writing might benefit from more precise terms depending on the specific nature of the loss. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly specifies the type of loss. Alternatives include phrases like "he was a victim of theft" or "he suffered a robbery", which may offer nuanced meanings for diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was deprived of his belongings

Focuses on the material loss experienced.

he was a victim of theft

Highlights the act of theft and his status as a victim.

he suffered a robbery

Emphasizes the act of robbery and his suffering from it.

he had his possessions stolen

Similar to robbed, emphasizing the loss of possessions.

he was burglarized

Refers specifically to a break-in and theft.

he was cheated out of his money

Implies deception and financial loss.

he was swindled

Suggests a fraudulent scheme.

he was conned

Similar to swindled, implying trickery.

he was defrauded

Highlights the act of fraud.

he lost his chance

Expresses the feeling of being unjustly denied an opportunity.

FAQs

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

You can use "he was robbed" to describe a situation where someone had something stolen from them, as in "he was robbed of his wallet at the train station".

What's the difference between "he was robbed" and "he was burglarized"?

"He was robbed" generally implies a face-to-face encounter or immediate threat during the theft, while "he was burglarized" refers specifically to a break-in, often when no one is present.

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

You can use alternatives like "he was a victim of theft", "he suffered a robbery", or "he had his possessions stolen" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "he was robbed" in formal writing?

While "he was robbed" is generally acceptable, in formal writing, more precise terms like "he was defrauded" or "he was a victim of theft" might be preferred for clarity and professionalism.