it was activated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was activated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the moment when something, such as a device or system, was turned on or made operational. Example: "The security system was offline until it was activated by the technician."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Furthermore, the influence predicts well the activity of a TF in samples in which it was activated at the protein level by a chemical agonist (details in Supplementary Information).

Bioinformatics

In contrast, the PKA-activated Cl− current was not sensitive to Ni2+, when it was activated downstream to the β-adrenoceptors using 10 μM forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator).

Cell Calcium

Once it was activated, everybody fell into their preassigned roles.

The New York Times

But they argue that when it was activated to pass payroll tax cuts and low-interest student loans, the pressure made a difference.

The New York Times

It was activated by a long carefully trimmed double reed connected with the instrument proper by a short tube called the bocal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Carter's resistance to the mayor's mandate has become so well known around Condé Nast that when the sprinkler system went off last year, the rumor mill immediately concluded that it was activated during another act of rebellion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

In May, at Google I/O, Google announced it was activating 100,000 Android units a day.

TechCrunch

A node stays active after it is activated.

Computational Social Networks

It is activated by its natural ligand SDF-1α.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

In our model, apoptosis is oversimplified; it is activated when p53 reaches its highest level.

BMC Genomics

It is activated by blue light and increases the electrical activity of neurons.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was activated", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

While "it was activated" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using an active voice construction when appropriate to create a more direct and engaging sentence. Example: Instead of "The alarm was activated by the intruder", try "The intruder activated the alarm".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was activated" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject underwent the action of being activated. As supported by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was activated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig, to describe the act of setting something in motion or making it operational. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various levels of formality. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the 'it' and consider the active voice for a more direct tone. Alternative phrasings like ""it was initiated"" or ""it was triggered"" can also add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was initiated

Focuses on the beginning or starting point of an action or process.

it was triggered

Emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship, implying a specific event prompted the activation.

it was enabled

Highlights the act of making something functional or operative.

it was set off

Suggests a sudden or forceful activation, often associated with alarms or explosives.

it was started

A general term indicating the commencement of operation.

it was launched

Implies a formal or public commencement, often used for products or campaigns.

it was commenced

A more formal synonym for started, suitable for official or legal contexts.

it was energized

Specifically refers to the process of providing power or energy.

it was switched on

Directly indicates the activation of a device through a switch.

it was turned on

Similar to switched on, but with broader application.

FAQs

How can I use "it was activated" in a sentence?

Use "it was activated" to describe something being set in motion or made operative. For instance, "The emergency system was activated after the power outage".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was activated"?

You can use alternatives like "it was initiated", "it was triggered", or "it was enabled" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how something "was activated"?

While the passive voice is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make the sentence more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The alarm was activated by the intruder", you could say "The intruder activated the alarm".

What's the difference between saying something "was activated" versus "was triggered"?

"Activated" generally means something was set in motion or made operative. "Triggered", on the other hand, implies that something caused the activation to occur. For example, "The device was activated manually", versus "The device was triggered by a sensor".