he was wounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was wounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing injuries, particularly in narratives about war, accidents, or physical altercations. Example: "During the battle, he was wounded and had to be evacuated for medical treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was wounded.

The New York Times

He was wounded five times.

The New York Times

He was wounded in Jan 1966 & captured.

The New Yorker

He was wounded four times.

The New York Times - Arts

At 20, he was wounded in France.

The Washington Post

He was wounded, hospitalised and suffered horribly.

The Guardian - Arts

We don't know how he was wounded.

The New York Times

He was wounded repeatedly, losing an eye.

The Guardian

Soon after he was wounded, complications set in.

The New York Times

He was wounded once, in the head, but not badly.

The New Yorker

He was wounded in the 2006 war with Lebanon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events in historical or formal contexts, use "he was wounded" to maintain a level of seriousness and respect for the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "he was wounded by" when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Simply stating "he was wounded" is often sufficient and more concise.

Linguistic Context

He was wounded functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject experienced physical harm. Ludwig AI's examples show it is commonly used to describe injuries sustained in war, accidents, or attacks.

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

The phrase "he was wounded" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that someone has sustained an injury. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent appearance in news, historical accounts and academic texts. While alternatives like "he was injured" or "he sustained an injury" exist, "he was wounded" carries a specific connotation, often implying a more serious or combat-related injury. When writing, consider the context and choose the most appropriate phrasing to convey the intended meaning. The passive voice construction focuses on the recipient of the injury rather than the agent causing it, and therefore is often used when the source is unknown or irrelevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was injured

Simple and direct alternative stating he received physical harm.

he sustained an injury

Focuses on the fact that an injury occurred, suitable for medical or formal contexts.

he received a wound

Directly indicates he was the recipient of a wound, common in military or medical contexts.

he suffered a wound

Highlights the suffering and physical damage caused by the injury.

he bore injuries

Formal way of saying someone suffered injuries. Often used in legal or historical texts.

he got hurt

Informal way of saying someone received an injury. It is more casual and less specific.

he came to harm

Implies something bad happened to him, resulting in physical or emotional damage.

he experienced trauma

Highlights the psychological and emotional impact alongside the physical injury.

he took a hit

A more figurative way to describe being injured, often used in sports or combat scenarios.

he was struck down

Suggests a sudden and forceful impact causing injury, often in a dramatic or historical context.

FAQs

What does "he was wounded" mean?

The phrase "he was wounded" means that someone sustained an injury, typically a physical injury caused by a weapon or an accident. It implies that the person has been hurt or harmed.

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

You can use alternatives like "he was injured", "he sustained an injury", or "he suffered a wound" depending on the context.

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

"He was wounded" is grammatically correct and more formal. "He got wounded" is acceptable in informal contexts, but "he was wounded" is preferred in formal writing.

Is "he was wounded" passive voice?

Yes, "he was wounded" is in the passive voice. The active voice equivalent would be something like "someone wounded him" or "the explosion wounded him", but those are used in different contexts.