it was burnt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was burnt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been damaged or destroyed by fire or excessive heat. Example: "The toast was left in the toaster for too long, and unfortunately, it was burnt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Some believe the panel is still in the cathedral; others, that it was burnt within days of its kidnap.

The Guardian - Arts

The following is possible: Julius Caesar had a sixth right finger such that (a) it was never burnt, and (b) the following is possible: it was burnt.

SEP

Phocion, an Athenian general, was falsely condemned and executed, and his unburied corpse banished, and taken to the outskirts of Megara, where it was burnt.

Independent

But then it was, until it was burnt to the ground by Alexander the Great in 330BC, the key ceremonial palace for the Persian Empire.

Independent

The remains of the mosque itself are black with soot – it was burnt down yesterday as police stormed it – while the building that just 24 hours ago housed the camp's makeshift field hospital is similarly gutted.

The Guardian

In 1207 it was burnt to the ground; in 1538 it was shut down during a general suppression of monasteries, and in 1862, the South Eastern Railway decided to run a new line through the hospital grounds.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It was burned Saturday.

The New York Times

It was burned.

Cornell University

It was burned there.

Cornell University

"It was burned and discarded.

The New York Times

It was burned out before".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past events involving fire damage, ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity (e.g. "The building was burnt" instead of "It was burnt").

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "it was burnt" when an active voice would be more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing as "The fire burnt it" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was burnt" functions as a passive construction in the past tense. It describes a state resulting from a past action, where something has undergone burning. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was burnt" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction indicating that something has been subjected to fire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to describe the state of an object or location after being burned, often providing an explanation for its current condition. While versatile across different registers, it frequently appears in News & Media and scientific contexts. Remember to use active voice when suitable, and choose synonyms like "incinerated", "charred", or "scorched" for a more descriptive vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was incinerated

Replaces 'burnt' with a stronger term, emphasizing complete destruction by fire.

it was reduced to ashes

Highlights the final state of complete destruction after burning.

it was consumed by fire

Replaces 'burnt' with a more descriptive phrase, highlighting the destructive element.

it was charred

Focuses on the surface being blackened by burning, rather than complete consumption.

it went up in flames

Emphasizes the sudden and dramatic nature of the burning.

it was scorched

Implies a lighter degree of burning, resulting in discoloration or damage.

it was ablaze

Focuses on the active state of burning, rather than the result.

it caught fire

Describes the event of something beginning to burn.

it was on fire

Indicates that something is actively burning.

it was cremated

Specifically refers to burning a body to ashes.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was burnt" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was incinerated" or "it was consumed by fire". These alternatives add a degree of solemnity and precision suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "it was burnt" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was burnt" is grammatically correct. "Burnt" is a past participle of the verb "burn", and the structure "it was + past participle" forms the passive voice in the past tense. This construction is widely accepted and understood in standard English.

What is a more descriptive alternative to "it was burnt"?

To be more descriptive, you might use "it was charred" (if the surface is blackened), "it was scorched" (if lightly burned), or "it was reduced to ashes" (if completely destroyed). The best choice depends on the specific details you want to convey.

When is it better to use "it was burned" instead of "it was burnt"?

Both "burned" and "burnt" are past participles of "burn", but "burned" is more common in American English, while "burnt" is more common in British English. Use the form that aligns with your target audience or the style guide you are following. If unsure, "it was burned" is generally a safer choice for international audiences.