i was shown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was shown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that was demonstrated or presented to you by someone else in the past. Example: "During the meeting, I was shown the new project proposal that the team had developed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I was shown to another line.

The New Yorker

Then I was shown an elegant scoop of doorway.

The Guardian - Arts

"I was shown bark shelters with bent bark roofing.

The New York Times

Next, I was shown the computer forensics lab.

The New Yorker

I was shown Rosalind Franklin's X-ray photograph and "Whooo!

The Guardian

This morning with no warning I was shown".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I was shown how fragile life was," she wrote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I was showing that I had skills".

The New York Times

I was showing him my Duchamp books".

The Guardian - Film

I was showing up to work thin!

The New York Times

I was showing two films back to back.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity in your writing, consider specifying who showed you something, especially when it adds important context. For instance, "During the tour, I was shown the workshop by the production director."

Common error

Avoid using "i was shown" when you actually performed the action yourself. This phrase is passive; ensure the subject (I) is the recipient, not the actor. Instead of "I was shown how to code" consider "I learned how to code" or "I followed a coding tutorial."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was shown" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject ('I') was the recipient of an action (being shown) performed by an unspecified agent. Ludwig examples confirm this passive usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i was shown" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the experience of being presented with information or a demonstration by someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's primarily employed in neutral registers, particularly within news and media, conveying passive reception of information. To ensure clarity and precision in your writing, remember to specify who showed you something whenever relevant, and avoid using the phrase when you were the one performing the action. Consider alternatives like "someone showed me" for a more direct tone or "I received a demonstration of" for formality. Remember that "i was shown" is not the same as the active phrase I saw; the passive indicates that someone was responsible for doing the showing. This phrase's frequency and versatility make it a valuable tool for describing experiences and observations in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone showed me

A more direct and active construction, specifying that a person performed the showing.

it was demonstrated to me

Shifts the focus to the demonstration itself, using a more passive construction.

i received a demonstration of

Emphasizes the act of receiving a demonstration, making it more formal.

i was walked through

Implies a guided explanation or tour of something.

i had a presentation of

Focuses on a formal presentation being given to the speaker.

i was introduced to

Focuses on being presented with something new for the first time.

i witnessed

Implies a direct observation by the speaker, possibly of an event or process.

i had the opportunity to see

Highlights the chance to view something, emphasizing the speaker's agency.

i observed

Similar to 'witnessed', but slightly more formal and detached.

i was given a glimpse of

Suggests a brief or partial view of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "i was shown" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I received a demonstration of" or "it was demonstrated to me". These options emphasize the presentation aspect in a professional context.

What's a more direct alternative to "i was shown"?

If you want to be more direct, use "someone showed me". This makes the sentence more active and clarifies who performed the action.

Is "i was shown" the same as "i saw"?

No, "I was shown" implies someone actively presented something to you, while "I saw" simply means you observed something, possibly without someone's direct involvement.

When is it best to use "i was shown" in writing?

Use "i was shown" when the act of someone presenting or demonstrating something is relevant to the context. For instance, "I was shown the research results by the lead scientist" is appropriate if the presentation itself is important.