it returned was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it returned was" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It appears to be a fragment that lacks clarity and proper structure, making it unusable in any context. Example: "The data it returned was incomplete."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It raised $7.8bn for investment and the amount of cash it returned was more than twice the level of 2003.

The Guardian - Business

Speech, when it returned was not at first commensurate with national disaster, being little more than the incoherent responsponses of private pain common to all who have lost a father, a brother, a son.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It also means that the risk of it returning is significantly higher, and my prognosis poorer.

The Guardian - Opinion

I had to stand it, we had to stand it... but returning was always in mind".

The New York Times

Whether it will persuade exiles to return is less clear.

The Economist

"Then, when it returned, it was like a big wall running toward our village.

The New York Times

If you love something let it go — and if it returns, it was meant to be.

Los Angeles Times

When Mr. Dale, the partner who had watched it daily returned, it was well-constructed.

The New Yorker

The moment it returns, it is fair game.

The Economist

Even if works are returned, it is not clear where precisely they would go.

The New Yorker

When was it returned?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it returned was" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "it was returned" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Common error

The primary error is the inverted word order. Remember that in standard English, the subject usually precedes the verb. So, instead of "it returned was", use "it was returned" or rephrase the sentence for clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it returned was" is grammatically incorrect due to the inverted word order and non-standard sentence construction. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not correct and lacks proper structure. A correct phrasing would typically use the passive voice, like "it was returned."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it returned was" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used. Ludwig AI confirms the ungrammaticality of this phrase, recommending alternatives like "it was returned" for clarity. While the examples are sourced from reputable sources, the incorrect structure makes it unsuitable for formal or informal contexts. Always prioritize correct grammar to ensure clear communication. Consider "it was returned" as a good alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was returned

Passive voice construction that corrects the word order.

what it returned

Functions as a noun clause, specifying the output of a process or function.

the return was

Emphasizes the return as a subject, followed by a description.

it has returned

Uses the present perfect tense to indicate a completed action with present relevance.

upon its return

Emphasizes the moment something is brought back.

when it returned

Adverbial clause specifying a time when an action occurred.

the data it returned

Focuses on the specific data received, rather than the action of returning.

it gave back

Replaces "returned" with a phrasal verb to signify giving something back.

it sent back

Uses "sent back" to indicate that something was sent back.

it yielded

Implies producing a result or output.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it returned was"?

The correct way to phrase this is "it was returned", which uses the passive voice, or you could rephrase the sentence to use an active voice construction.

Are there situations where "it returned was" might be acceptable?

No, "it returned was" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in all forms of writing and speech. Consider alternatives like "it was returned".

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "it returned was" for clarity?

Rephrasing depends on the context, but often changing the word order to "it was returned" or restructuring the sentence can improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

What are some alternatives to "it returned was" that maintain a similar meaning?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it was returned", or focus on the outcome using "the result was".