it was broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "it was broken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that used to be in one piece but is now not functioning. For example: "The vase was accidentally dropped and it was broken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although it was broken, people may still recognise its initial renowned design (Figure 2).

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

It was broken.

The New York Times

Maybe it was broken.

The New York Times

And it was broken.

The New York Times

I didn't know it was broken.

The New York Times - Magazine

I instantly knew it was broken.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought it was broken".

The New York Times - Sports

I assumed it was broken.

The New York Times - Travel

At first we thought it was broken.

The New York Times - Travel

It was broken up after being decommissioned in 1959.

Harvard University

It was broken, and it's certainly more broken now".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was broken", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the subject.

Common error

While "it was broken" is grammatically sound, over-reliance on passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider active constructions when appropriate: "Someone broke it" is more active.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was broken" functions as a passive construction, indicating a state of being damaged or non-functional as a result of a prior action. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

10%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was broken" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used phrase to describe something that is damaged or non-functional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of potentially overusing passive voice. Alternative phrases such as "it had broken down" or "it was damaged" may offer nuanced options depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had broken down

Focuses more on the process of becoming non-functional, especially for machines or systems.

it became damaged

Emphasizes the state of being harmed or impaired.

it was out of order

Specifically indicates a temporary state of non-functionality, often for equipment.

it ceased to function

A more formal way of saying something stopped working.

it was inoperable

Indicates a permanent or severe state of non-functionality.

it was non-operational

Similar to 'inoperable' but often used in technical or formal contexts.

it was defective

Highlights a flaw or imperfection that caused the breakage.

it was fractured

Implies a crack or split, rather than complete breakage.

it was smashed

Suggests a forceful and violent breaking into pieces.

it was ruined

Focuses on the negative consequence of the breakage, implying something is unusable.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was broken" to describe something that is no longer working or is damaged, such as, "The toy was dropped, and "it was broken"".

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

Alternatives include "it was damaged", "it was out of order", or "it had broken down", depending on the context.

Is "it was broken" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was broken" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to describe a state resulting from an action.

What's the difference between "it was broken" and "it broke"?

"It broke" is active voice, indicating the action itself, while "it was broken" is passive voice, focusing on the state after the action. For example, "The glass broke" vs. "The glass "it was broken" by the impact".