it was contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone or something was reached out to or communicated with in the past. Example: "The customer service department confirmed that it was contacted regarding the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Maury S. Lane, a spokesman for FedEx, said the carrier learned that a suspect package might be at its Dubai facility when it was contacted by the F.B.I. and local authorities in Dubai.

The New York Times

The museum, which purchased the painting in 1941, posted an image of it online in 2000 amid concerns about its provenance; in 2004 it was contacted by Fred Westfield, a nephew of the art dealer.

The New York Times

In its suit Yale said it was contacted last year by lawyers for Pierre Konowaloff, who said he was the great-grandson of Mr. Morozov and was seeking the painting as well as financial compensation.

The New York Times

The Jerusalem Post did not wish to comment on its decision to publish when it was contacted today by MediaGuardian.co.uk.

The Guardian

The NSS says its investigation was prompted after it was contacted by parents, some of whom had themselves written to the schools and to the Department for Education about their concerns.

BBC

Bristol-Myers said yesterday that it did not know about the movie, which was to be called "Who Killed Sue Snow?," until it was contacted about the cessation of its production by reporters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Eurostar said it was contacting affected passengers to alert them to the disruption to services.

The Guardian

The Met today refused to divulge how many people it was contacting.

The Guardian

Previous experimental studies have shown that NAPL will be removed when it is contacted by steam.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Wells Fargo has said it is contacting all of the customers who may have been affected.

The New York Times

Just today it is contacting 500 customers who have begun the application process.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was contacted", ensure the subject "it" is clearly defined and the context makes it obvious who or what initiated the contact.

Common error

Avoid using "it was contacted" when an active voice construction is clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The company was contacted by the customer", prefer "The customer contacted the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was contacted" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (represented by "it") received communication from an unspecified agent. Ludwig examples show it used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was contacted" is a common and grammatically sound passive voice construction used to convey that something or someone received communication. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to consider whether an active voice construction might provide greater clarity. By being mindful of these nuances, writers can effectively leverage "it was contacted" to clearly and accurately convey information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it received communication

Replaces "was contacted" with a more formal term, "received communication".

it was reached out to

Emphasizes the act of initiating communication towards the subject.

it heard from

A more informal way of saying "it was contacted", implying a less formal type of communication.

it was notified

Suggests that the communication contained important information or an official announcement.

it was informed

Similar to "it was notified", implying the communication provided knowledge or details.

it got in touch with

Focuses on establishing a connection, suitable when the purpose is to initiate dialogue.

it was approached

Implies that someone initiated contact, often with a specific request or proposal.

it was telephoned

Specifies the medium of communication as a phone call.

it was emailed

Specifies the medium of communication as email.

it was written to

Specifies the medium of communication as written correspondence.

FAQs

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

Use "it was contacted" to indicate that something or someone received communication. For example: "The museum confirmed that "it was contacted" by the art dealer's nephew".

What are some alternatives to "it was contacted"?

You can use alternatives like "it received communication", "it was reached out to", or "it heard from" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice instead of "it was contacted"?

In many cases, active voice is more direct and clearer. For instance, instead of ""it was contacted" by the police", you could say "The police contacted them".

What's the difference between "it was contacted" and "it contacted"?

"It contacted" implies that "it" initiated the communication, whereas ""it was contacted"" means that "it" received communication from someone else.