it was approached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was approached" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or topic that has been examined or dealt with by someone or a group. Example: "The issue of climate change was approached with a sense of urgency during the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The FBI attempted to compel Apple to design custom software that would help unlock an iPhone belonging to Syed Farook, on the of shooters, but later dropped its case after it was approached by a third party offering another way into the phone.

TechCrunch

It wasn't something that took for ever and a day: it came together very quickly and it was perfect, with its sentiment and how it was approached.

The Guardian - Music

And they oppose using taxpayer money to give Norfolk Southern a new yard, contending that the company was already contemplating reconfiguring its Lancaster operations before it was approached by the college.

The New York Times

It said it was approached by Lush who said it could use its old premises until the lease runs out at the end of January next year.

BBC

Furthermore, the robot is able to behave like a human by providing the human with face orientation in the intended direction before changing its direction when avoiding collisions, and maintaining a proper distance when it was approached by human.

ROBOMECH Journal

It was approached by an avenue of sycamores, whose leaves still dripped from the rain.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

After X-IT had filed a patent application for the ladder in the United States, X-IT was approached by Kidde PLC, one of the largest vendors of fire protection products in the world.

Harvard Business Review

It was approaching 2 a.m.

The New York Times

It was approaching 11.30pm.

The Guardian

It was approaching 4 30 in the afternoon.

The Washington Post

It was "approaching" the amount New Zealand spends on anti-corruption.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "it was approached" with a 'by' phrase to specify who or what initiated the approach, if known and relevant. For example, "The company was approached by investors."

Common error

Avoid using "it was approached" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The problem was approached using a new method", consider "We approached the problem using a new method", which attributes the action directly to the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was approached" functions as a passive construction. It highlights that the subject received an approach, whether physical or metaphorical, rather than initiating the action itself. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was approached" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive construction used to indicate that a subject was the recipient of an action or offer. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, reflecting its neutrality and applicability in describing various situations. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who initiated the approach and avoid using the passive voice when an active voice would be more direct. Consider using alternative phrases like "it was contacted" or "it received attention" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was offered

Highlights the act of offering something to it.

it was presented with

Emphasizes the act of being given something.

it was tendered

Describes a formal offer or proposal being made.

it received attention

Focuses on receiving attention rather than being physically approached.

it was introduced to

Focuses on the act of being introduced to a new concept or entity.

it was contacted

Focuses on initiating communication.

it was confronted with

Highlights a direct encounter with something challenging.

it was asked

Emphasizes a question or request being directed to it.

it came across

Suggests a chance encounter or discovery.

it faced

Implies encountering a situation or challenge.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it was approached" indicates that something or someone was presented with a situation, request, or offer. For example, "The company said "it was approached" by investors last week".

What are some alternatives to "it was approached"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it was contacted", "it was presented with", or "it received attention". For instance, instead of saying "The problem was approached with caution", you could say "The problem was addressed carefully".

Is "it was approached" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was approached" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

Which is correct, "it was approached by" or "it was approached from"?

"It was approached by" is used to indicate who or what initiated the approach (e.g., "The company was approached by investors"), while "it was approached from" indicates the direction or method of the approach (e.g., "The building was approached from the west").