it was decommissioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was decommissioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something, such as a ship, facility, or piece of equipment, that has been officially taken out of service. Example: "After years of service, the old naval ship was finally decommissioned and retired from active duty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

For London it was decommissioned.

The Guardian - Arts

It was decommissioned again in 1992.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1965, it was decommissioned and gutted.

The New Yorker

It was decommissioned 20 years later and fell into disrepair.

Independent

Dangerous and expensive to operate, it was decommissioned in 1957.

The New York Times

Point Molate was a U.S. naval fuel depot centre until it was decommissioned in 1995.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was decommissioned in 1995 and berthed in a naval shipyard for eventual dismantling and scrapping.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"You can plan freely because there are no supporting walls," said Mr Mielke, who converted the whole of his first bunker once it was decommissioned.

Independent

During the Korean War, Wisconsin shelled North Korean targets in support of United Nations and South Korean ground operations, after which it was decommissioned.

Wikipedia

The route currently Route 166 became U.S. Route 9 Alternate by 1954, remaining for several years, when it was decommissioned in place for Route 166.

Wikipedia

Otherwise, the route remained generally unchanged for six decades until March 31 , 1997 when it was decommissioned in its entirety and transferred to Elgin County and Middlesex County.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "It was decommissioned" is most appropriate when the subject has had a significant period of service and its removal is an official act.

Common error

Avoid using "it was decommissioned" interchangeably with terms like "retired" or "shut down" in all contexts. While they may seem similar, "decommissioned" implies an official removal from service, particularly in military or governmental settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was decommissioned" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject has undergone the action of being officially removed from service. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound. Examples show this applies to various entities, like ships, power stations and equipment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was decommissioned" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate the official removal of something from service. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, demonstrating its widespread use across various reputable sources such as the New York Times and BBC. Primarily found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki it conveys a formal and neutral tone, typically referring to military assets, power plants or governmental equipment. For alternative expressions, one might consider phrases like "it was retired" or "it was taken out of service", while being mindful of the subtle contextual differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was retired

Focuses on the cessation of active service, often implying a dignified or honorary conclusion.

it was taken out of service

A more general term indicating removal from operation, without necessarily implying the end of its lifespan.

it was shut down

Emphasizes the act of ceasing operation, often used for machinery or systems.

it was deactivated

Implies rendering something inoperative or non-functional, often used in technical contexts.

it was dismantled

Highlights the process of taking something apart, often implying the end of its existence in its original form.

it was discontinued

Indicates that something is no longer produced or offered.

it was phased out

Suggests a gradual process of removal from use.

it was terminated

Implies a formal ending or cessation of something.

it was invalidated

Indicates something has been made ineffective or void.

it was superseded

Highlights that something has been replaced by something newer or better.

FAQs

What does "it was decommissioned" mean?

The phrase "it was decommissioned" means something has been officially taken out of service. This term is often used for military equipment, ships, power plants, or other large facilities.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was retired", "it was taken out of service", or "it was shut down" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "decommissioned" for a non-military item?

Yes, "decommissioned" can be used for non-military items like power plants or facilities, but it's most commonly associated with military or governmental equipment. Consider the context to see whether a more general term like "taken out of service" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "it was decommissioned" and "it was dismantled"?

"It was decommissioned" implies an official removal from service, while "it was dismantled" means it was taken apart. A ship might be decommissioned and then later dismantled.