he was shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'he was shot' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are writing about a person that was shot with a gun. For example: "The police officer was shot while responding to the call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was shot dead.

The Economist

He was shot".

The New York Times - Magazine

He was shot three times.

The New York Times

He was shot and killed.

The New York Times

He was shot in 1938.

The New Yorker

He was shot a few days later.

The New York Times

He was shot in the eye".

The New Yorker

He was shot through with desire.

The New Yorker

Later he was shot in the hand.

The Economist

He was shot through the arm.

The Economist

I had heard he was shot.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he was shot", ensure the context clearly indicates who is performing the shooting action, even if it's implied. This avoids ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "he was shot" in contexts where it's unclear whether the shooting was accidental or intentional. Adding details such as "He was accidentally shot" or "He was deliberately shot" provides necessary clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he was shot" is to act as a passive construction indicating that someone has been subjected to the action of being shot. It emphasizes the recipient of the action rather than the perpetrator. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was shot" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe an incident where someone has been injured by a firearm. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media, conveying a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing context about the shooting incident. While "he was shot" is widely accepted, consider using more descriptive alternatives like "he sustained a gunshot wound" or "he was hit by a bullet" depending on the desired emphasis. Be mindful of potential ambiguity and provide sufficient detail to clarify the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was wounded by gunfire

Similar to "he was shot", but specifies the cause of the wound as gunfire.

he was hit by a bullet

Highlights the impact of the bullet, focusing on the projectile.

he was struck by a bullet

Focuses on the impact and being hit by a projectile.

he sustained a gunshot wound

Focuses on the medical aspect, highlighting the injury received from a gunshot.

he suffered a gunshot injury

Highlights the medical consequence of being shot.

he came under gunfire

Emphasizes the act of being subjected to gunfire, not necessarily the result.

he took a bullet

A more casual way of saying he was shot, focusing on the action.

he was targeted and shot

Emphasizes that the shooting was intentional and directed at him.

he was felled by a gunshot

Emphasizes the result of being shot, implying being brought down or stopped.

he became a victim of gun violence

Shifts the focus to the broader issue of gun violence.

FAQs

How is "he was shot" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "he was shot" is typically used to describe an incident where someone has been injured by a firearm. For example: "During the robbery, "he was shot" by one of the perpetrators."

What are some alternative phrases for "he was shot" that provide more detail?

Depending on the context, you might use more descriptive alternatives such as "he sustained a gunshot wound" to emphasize the injury, or "he was hit by a bullet" to focus on the projectile.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a shooting?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the desired emphasis. Active voice (e.g., "The gunman shot him") highlights the shooter, while passive voice (""he was shot"") emphasizes the victim. If the shooter is unknown or the victim is the focus, passive voice is often preferred.

What is the difference between "he was shot" and "he got shot"?

"He was shot" is a more formal and neutral way of stating the event. "He got shot" is more informal and colloquial, often used in casual conversation or narratives. The meaning is essentially the same, but the register differs.