i was available

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was available" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you were free or accessible at a certain time in the past. Example: "Yesterday, I was available for a meeting, but no one reached out to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was available to start.

The New York Times - Sports

I would see if I was available.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was available but didn't make it.

The Guardian - Sport

Anytime anyone wanted a tan, I was available".

The New York Times

To others, I seemed unavailable, even when I was available.

The New York Times

The owners "needed to fill the position of chef and I was available," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

The next available Saturday, the only day I was available, was three weeks away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I am available.

The New Yorker

I'm available.

The New York Times - Arts

I know I'm available.

The New York Times

SHAWN I'm available.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was available" to clearly state your past accessibility for a particular task, meeting, or opportunity. This avoids ambiguity and sets a clear understanding of your status at that time.

Common error

Avoid phrasing your sentences in a way that obscures who you were available to. Instead of saying "It was decided I was available", state directly "I was available, so I agreed to [action]".

Linguistic Context

"I was available" functions as a declarative statement asserting a state of being ready or accessible at a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in conveying past readiness for tasks, duties, or opportunities. The phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was available" is a common and grammatically correct way to express past readiness or accessibility, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and business settings. When writing, make sure to use the phrase to avoid passive construction, and choose semantically related alternatives like ""I was free"" or "I was accessible" depending on the intended nuance. By paying attention to these nuances, you can use "I was available" effectively in various writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was free

Indicates being without obligations or commitments, similar to being available.

i was accessible

Emphasizes the ease with which someone could be reached or contacted.

i was ready

Highlights preparedness and willingness to take action or participate.

i was on hand

Suggests being present and ready to assist or intervene.

i was at disposal

Formally indicates being ready to serve or fulfill a request.

i was unoccupied

Emphasizes the lack of any prior engagements or responsibilities.

i was obtainable

Highlights the possibility of getting in touch or securing assistance.

i was reachable

Focuses on the ability to be contacted or communicated with.

i was open

Suggests a willingness to consider opportunities or requests.

i was in service

Formally indicates being actively working or providing assistance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was available" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "I was at your disposal", "I was ready to assist", or "I was accessible for consultation".

What's the difference between "I was available" and "I was free"?

"I was available" implies readiness for a specific task or purpose, while "I was free" suggests a general lack of commitments. Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I was free" to indicate that you had no other engagements at that time.

Is it correct to say "I am available" instead of "I was available"?

Yes, "I am available" is correct, but it refers to your current availability. "I was available" refers to your availability at a specific time in the past.

When should I use "I was available" in a sentence?

Use "I was available" when describing a past situation where you were ready and able to do something or be somewhere. For example: "I was available for the meeting last week, but it was canceled".