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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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i was written

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was written" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to something that has been composed or created, often in a literary or artistic sense. Example: "The story was captivating, and I was written into the narrative as a character."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The play, set at the outbreak of World War I, was written in 1915, while the playwright was a Harvard student.

News & Media

The New York Times

"The Peace of Brest-Litovsk," about the unfavorable treaty that the new Soviet government signed with Germany to extricate itself from World War I, was written in 1962 but not staged until 1987 because its characters included Trotsky and Bukharin.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I was  written off and just used that as motivation".

News & Media

Independent

I was written off by psychiatrists, psychologists, health workers, doctors.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Or rather, I was written off as the guy whose hopeless addictions had – and would always – ruin everything for everyone".

News & Media

Independent

Composers include the three founders of Bang on a Can -- Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe -- as well as Don Byron, whose "Eugene I" was written to accompany an episode of "The Ernie Kovacs Show".

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Standalone i is written as yi.

"I was writing my examinations.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I was writing about everything.

"I was writing a book," he said.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I was writing a press release.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I was written", consider the context. Is it literal (e.g., about a character in a book) or figurative (e.g., about being misrepresented)? Choose your words accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "I was written" when you mean "I was writing". The former means someone wrote about you, while the latter means you were the one doing the writing.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was written" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) is the recipient of the action (written). This grammatical structure is used to emphasize the action rather than the actor. Ludwig's examples show various contexts where this passive construction is employed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was written" is a grammatically correct and relatively common construction in English. As Ludwig AI indicates, this passive construction emphasizes the act of being written about, rather than the actor. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, where the focus is on how someone or something has been portrayed. When using this phrase, ensure that the passive voice accurately conveys your intended meaning and consider alternative phrasings, like "I was featured" or "I was documented", to provide more precise communication. Be cautious not to confuse this construction with the active form, "I was writing", which indicates the act of composing rather than being the subject of the composition.

FAQs

How can I use "I was written" in a sentence?

You can use "I was written" to express that you were included or featured in a written work. For example, "I was written off as a hopeless case by many doctors".

What does "I was written" mean?

"I was written" means that you or your story was included in a written piece. It often implies a passive role, where someone else is doing the writing about you.

What's the difference between "I was written" and "I was writing"?

"I was written" indicates that someone else wrote about you, while "I was writing" means that you were the one doing the writing.

Are there alternative ways to express "I was written"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I was featured", "I was included", or "I was documented".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: