he was shared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was shared" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that someone was shared among a group or with others, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "He was shared among the team for the project discussion." (Note: This is a rephrased version for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Asked about his culpability for AOL's accounting problems, Mr. Case said that he was shared some responsibility, several people present recalled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was like he was sharing a piece of gossip.

The Guardian

For him, he was sharing a great accomplishment in CF care.

The New Yorker

He was sharing a loft space — brushed-concrete floors, exposed ductwork — with a movie-financing company.

The New Yorker

The personnel director spoke on condition of anonymity because he was sharing scouting information.

The New York Times - Sports

"I realized he was sharing everything on his hard disk," he said.

The New York Times

He was sharing with a friend, Howard Singer; both are professors at New Jersey City University in Jersey City.

The New York Times

Duncan returned home to the apartment he was sharing with Troh and her relatives.

The Guardian

Still in his gear, Agoos went back to the apartment he was sharing with Alexi Lalas.

The New York Times - Sports

Because he is the baby's father, and he was sharing the child care duties that weekend with his girlfriend.

The New York Times

Then he turned from the bars and considered the three men he was sharing the two-man cell with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the passive voice construction "he was shared" as it is grammatically awkward and unclear. Opt for the active voice, such as "he was sharing" or alternative phrasings like "he contributed".

Common error

Do not use "he was shared" when you mean to say someone was actively sharing something. The passive construction implies an unnatural or unclear sharing action. Use the active voice, for example: "he was sharing his knowledge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was shared" is grammatically suspect, functioning awkwardly as a passive construction. Ludwig AI points out it does not convey a clear meaning in written English and suggests alternatives such as "he was distributed" or "he was passed around".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was shared" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in written English. Ludwig AI confirms that it does not convey a clear meaning. Although some examples can be found, it is advisable to avoid this phrasing in favor of clearer alternatives such as "he was sharing", "he contributed", or "he participated". Due to its grammatical awkwardness, the phrase is unsuitable for formal or professional contexts. While the source quality of the examples is generally high, the fundamental issues with grammar and usage make this phrase questionable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was sharing

This alternative replaces the passive voice "shared" with the active voice "sharing", resulting in a grammatically sound and more common construction.

he contributed

This alternative suggests that he made a contribution to something, which implies a sharing of effort or resources.

he participated in

This alternative highlights his involvement in a shared activity or event.

he took part in

Similar to "he participated in", this phrase indicates his involvement in a collective activity.

he helped with

This option emphasizes his assistance in a shared task or project.

he was involved in

This phrase indicates his engagement or connection to a shared endeavor.

he had a hand in

This idiom suggests that he played a role in a shared effort or outcome.

he collaborated on

This option highlights a cooperative effort where he worked together with others.

he chipped in

This informal phrase suggests that he contributed to a shared cause or activity.

he played a part in

This alternative emphasizes his contribution to a larger shared event or project.

FAQs

What does "he was shared" mean?

The phrase "he was shared" is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear meaning in standard English. A more appropriate phrasing would be "he was sharing" which suggests he was actively distributing or contributing something.

How can I rephrase "he was shared" to make it grammatically correct?

You can rephrase it as "he was "he was sharing"", "he contributed", or "he participated". The best alternative depends on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "he was shared" acceptable in any context?

In most contexts, "he was shared" is considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. It's better to use clearer and more common alternatives like ""he was sharing"".

What are some alternatives to "he was shared" that maintain a similar meaning?

Depending on the intended meaning, you could use alternatives like "he contributed", "he participated in", or "he took part in". These options provide clearer and more grammatically correct ways to express the idea.