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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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is sailed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sailed" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used in any context, as "sailed" is the past tense of "sail" and does not fit with "is" in a grammatically correct way. Example: "The ship is sailed by a skilled captain." (This should be "The ship is being sailed by a skilled captain.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The common denominator among all the race boats is that each is sailed by a two-person crew.

The race is sailed every other year, alternating with the Fastnet race in England, from Southampton to Plymouth, by way of Fastnet Rock, an islet off the south coats of Ireland.

News & Media

The New Yorker

After all, without the Williamses the H.M.S. Rose might not have been around to play the role of the H.M.S. Surprise, a frigate that is sailed by the lead character Capt.

News & Media

The New York Times

"She should give the impression that she is sailed by people of obvious quality and distinction, of the sort that snooty coastal property owners might want to invite over for gin-and-tonics and to catch up on the goings on in San Tropez".

News & Media

The New Yorker

The difference is that Turner, close to a contract for his new fleet, says he does not want to become a pathway to the America's Cup, whose ACWS is sailed in foiling catamarans but does not include match racing, whereas Pleasance says he very much wants to provide an America's Cup route, not in foiling catamarans but sticking to match racing, so far the style required by the America's Cup.

News & Media

Independent

The International Laser Class sailboat, also referred to as the Laser Standard, but most commonly called a Laser®, is a popular one-design fiberglass dinghy that is sailed the world over, with sales in excess of 220,000 boats.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The answer is sailing.

"The ship is sailing.

News & Media

The New York Times

It is sailing toward the gulf.

"The system is sailing off a cliff.

News & Media

The Guardian

He is sailing in the dark.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "is sailed" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "is being sailed" or "is navigated" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The phrase "is sailed" often arises from a misunderstanding of passive voice construction. Remember to use "is being sailed" when describing an ongoing action performed on the subject.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sailed" functions as a passive construction, attempting to describe an action being performed on a subject. However, it is grammatically incomplete and requires the addition of "being" to form the correct passive present continuous tense. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while examples of the phrase "is sailed" exist across various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is usually to describe a vessel being actively sailed or navigated. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it is recommended to use alternatives such as "is being sailed" or "is navigated". The presence of the phrase in some news and science contexts does not validate its correctness, and it should be avoided in formal or professional writing. Remember to choose the phrase that precisely conveys the action and adheres to standard grammatical rules.

FAQs

What are correct alternatives to the phrase "is sailed"?

Instead of "is sailed", use more grammatically correct options such as "is being sailed" to emphasize the ongoing action, or "is navigated" to focus on the guidance of the vessel.

Is "is sailed" grammatically correct?

No, "is sailed" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form to describe an ongoing action is "is being sailed". For example, instead of saying "The ship is sailed by the captain", say "The ship is being sailed by the captain".

When should I use "is being sailed" instead of "is sailed"?

Use "is being sailed" when you want to emphasize the continuous action of sailing being performed on a subject. For instance, "The yacht is being sailed around the world" indicates an ongoing voyage.

What is the difference between "is sailed" and "is navigated"?

"Is sailed" is not grammatically correct. "Is navigated" correctly refers to the action of guiding the ship, emphasizing the skill and control involved in directing its course.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: