it was asserted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was asserted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that a statement or claim was made by someone, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "In the report, it was asserted that the new policy would lead to significant improvements in productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The classical compatibilists wanted to show their incompatibilist interlocutors that when one asserted that a freely willing agent had alternatives available to her that is, when it was asserted that she could have done otherwise that assertion could be analyzed as a conditional statement, a statement that is perspicuously compatible with determinism.

SEP

Holiday, the book that won him the 1974 Booker prize jointly with Nadine Gordimer, took its origin from an article by Auberon Waugh in which it was asserted that no good novel ought ever to have flashbacks.

The Guardian - Books

Only a perverted handful, it was asserted, had taken part in such crimes.

The Guardian

It was asserted that I was guilty of IRA membership through association because of my family background – my friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reeves claimed Cameron's error was not a slip of a tongue since it was asserted on a scripted broadcast.

The Guardian

It was asserted as if it were a fact and that it could be slipped through without approval.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

American Bioscience said that it was asserting its legitimate rights to a patent granted to it by the United States Patent Office.

The New York Times

That led Samsung to abruptly drop a number of court cases against Apple in which it was asserting SEPs.

The Guardian - Tech

Washington was different, it is asserted.

The Economist

Nor can it be asserted through power of office.

The New York Times

It is very British for citizens to resist bossy officialdom, it is asserted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was asserted" when you want to convey that a statement was made, often without necessarily implying that it is true or false. It's particularly useful in academic or journalistic writing when reporting on claims or arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "it was asserted" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "they said" or "someone claimed" are more appropriate in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was asserted" functions as a reporting verb construction in the passive voice. Ludwig AI indicates that this structure introduces a statement or claim, often one that is open to discussion or lacks definitive proof. It serves to distance the writer from the assertion itself.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was asserted" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for reporting statements or claims, especially in formal contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a passive construction that helps to present information objectively. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in informal settings where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. Alternatives include "it was claimed", "it was stated", and "it was alleged", each carrying slightly different connotations. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was claimed

Replaces "asserted" with a more general term for stating something as true.

it was stated

Similar to "claimed", but suggests a more formal or official declaration.

it was alleged

Indicates that the statement is made without proof and is possibly untrue.

it was maintained

Suggests that the statement was defended or upheld, possibly against opposition.

it was contended

Implies a firm and often argumentative declaration.

it was posited

Indicates that the statement was presented as a hypothesis or theory.

it was suggested

A milder way of saying something was put forth as a possibility or idea.

it was proposed

Similar to "suggested", but often used in more formal or academic contexts.

the claim was made

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the claim itself.

the argument was made

Focuses on the argument or reasoning behind the statement.

FAQs

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

Use "it was asserted" to introduce a claim or statement, often one that may be debatable or unproven. For example, "It was asserted that the new policy would increase productivity."

What can I say instead of "it was asserted"?

You can use alternatives like "it was claimed", "it was stated", or "it was alleged" depending on the context.

Is "it was asserted" formal or informal?

"It was asserted" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, journalistic, or professional writing. Simpler alternatives are better for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "it was asserted" and "it was alleged"?

"It was asserted" simply means a statement was made, whereas "it was alleged" implies the statement is made without proof and is possibly untrue.