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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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i was listened

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'i was listened' is not grammatically correct in written English.
You could say 'I was listening' or 'I was being listened to' depending on the context. For example, you might say: "I was listening to what my teacher said when she asked me a question."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It was only because someone stepped in and helped me that I was listened to".

News & Media

The Guardian

In July, Ms. Merkel joked with television interviewers who asked about the situation, "I know of no case where I was listened to".

News & Media

The New York Times

In July, Ms. Merkel joked with television interviewers asking about the situation, "I know of no case where I was listened to".

News & Media

The New York Times

Koifman: When I first started out my career (20 odd years ago), I was working in the corporate field and wanted to ensure I was listened to for my ideas rather than colleagues being distracted by what I wore.

News & Media

Forbes

In the past I have talked things through and I was listened to".

KM: Let me just say that I was listened to your EP titled "DMK" on the way over and you girls are great and there's some major things happening with you, for instance "Empire" what a great opportunity?

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So I was listening.

News & Media

The New York Times

But I was listening.

I was listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Gershwin.

News & Media

The Guardian

(I was listening in the middle).

News & Media

The New York Times

There I was listening to my play.

News & Media

Independent
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the impact of your words, consider alternatives like "my voice resonated" or "i made an impact."

Common error

A common mistake is using "listened" in a passive construction without "being". "I was listened" is grammatically incorrect. Use "i was being listened to" or "i was heard" instead.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was listened" is intended to express the passive reception of attention or understanding. However, it's grammatically incorrect, requiring correction to "i was heard" or "i was being listened to". Ludwig AI underscores this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i was listened" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct forms are "i was heard" or "i was being listened to". While Ludwig provides examples from various sources, including News & Media and Science, it's important to note that these instances don't validate the phrase's grammatical correctness. Instead, opt for grammatically sound alternatives to effectively convey your intended meaning. Correcting this phrase ensures clarity and credibility in your communication. High-quality sources rarely use the incorrect form, indicating the importance of grammatical accuracy in professional writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "i was listened"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "i was heard" or "i was being listened to", depending on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "i was heard" and "i was being listened to"?

"I was heard" implies that your message was received and understood, while "i was being listened to" suggests an ongoing action of someone paying attention to you.

Can I use "i was listened" in informal conversation?

While you might encounter "i was listened" in informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing or when aiming for grammatical precision. Consider alternatives like "i was heard" or "i was being listened to".

What are some other ways to express that someone paid attention to me?

Alternatives include "people listened to me", "i had their attention", or "my voice resonated". You could also say "i felt heard" to indicate the feeling of being understood.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: