it was billed

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was billed' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean that something was presented for payment, or to mean that something was advertised or promoted. For example: The new exhibition was billed as the best show in town and it didn't disappoint.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was billed as the chance to exchange small-talk with Bill Clinton and rub shoulders with glamorous celebrities.

Independent

It was billed as the glamour match.

Independent

IT WAS billed as an historic return.

The Economist

It was billed as progress.

The New York Times

It was billed as a drill.

The Washington Post

Pain-free whistleblowing, as it was billed.

The Guardian

SACRAMENTO — It was billed as an invasion.

The New York Times

IT WAS billed as a "big shake-up".

The Economist

It was billed as a town-hall discussion.

The New York Times

It was billed as a rally against illegal immigration.

The Guardian

It was billed as Julian Assange's "explosive" TV debut.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it was billed" with specific details about what was promised or expected to enhance the impact of your writing. For example, "It was billed as the 'must-see event of the year,' attracting large crowds."

Common error

While "it was billed" is acceptable, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider active constructions for a more direct and engaging style. For instance, instead of "It was billed as a revolutionary product," try "The company billed it as a revolutionary product."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was billed" functions as a passive reporting clause. It introduces information about how something was presented or advertised. This construction is commonly used to set expectations or provide context for the topic being discussed, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was billed" is a versatile phrase used to indicate how something was advertised or presented. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a useful construction, writers should be mindful of passive voice and consider active alternatives for stronger writing. Related phrases like ""it was advertised as"" and ""it was promoted as"" can offer nuanced variations depending on the context. Remember to use "it was billed" to clearly set expectations and provide context for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was advertised as

Focuses specifically on the advertising aspect, highlighting how something was promoted.

it was promoted as

Emphasizes the promotional aspect, suggesting active efforts to make something known.

it was presented as

Highlights the manner in which something was introduced or shown to the public.

it was touted as

Suggests a more enthusiastic and possibly exaggerated promotion.

it was marketed as

Focuses on the commercial aspect of how something was presented to potential buyers.

it was known as

Indicates a common or popular name or title, not necessarily tied to a formal billing.

it was labeled as

Highlights the descriptive term used to categorize something.

it was introduced as

Focuses on the initial presentation or unveiling of something.

it was designed as

Highlights the intended purpose or function as originally conceived.

it was conceived as

Emphasizes the initial idea or concept behind something.

FAQs

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

"It was billed" is used to describe how something was advertised or presented. For example, "The concert "it was billed" as the event of the year."

What phrases are similar to "it was billed"?

Similar phrases include "it was advertised as", "it was promoted as", or "it was presented as". The best choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "it was billed as" and "it was known as"?

"It was billed as" refers to how something was advertised or presented, while "it was known as" indicates a common or popular name. For example, a product "it was billed as" "the ultimate solution", but "it was known as" "the unreliable gadget".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "it was billed"?

While "it was billed" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing stronger. For example, instead of ""it was billed" as a major event," consider "They billed it as a major event."