it was defined

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was defined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was previously explained or described. For example, "The term 'dyslexia' was defined in the introduction as a learning disability characterized by difficulty in reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In contrast, Gene-D referred to a developmental resource (providing the "D"); it was defined by its molecular sequence.

SEP

Gene-P embraced an instrumental preformationism (providing the "P"); it was defined by its relationship to a phenotype.

SEP

It was defined by hardware.

The New Yorker

Whatever," as it was defined in the show's early days.

The New Yorker

It was defined not by Iraq but by September 11th.

The Guardian

But above all, it was defined by a more balanced feel to the performance.

The Guardian - Sport

Policies have long had exclusions for racing, but it was defined as a "timed event".

The New York Times

The charge against them was genocide as it was defined in the United Nation's genocide convention of 1948.

University of Pennsylvania

Instead, it was defined by a process of endless chance and change, with inbuilt flexibility or its alternative planned obsolescence.

Harvard University

But his musical world was far wider than theirs because it was defined by "the greater universe of scholarship".

The New York Times - Books

IF THERE was such a thing as "Brownism", it was defined by tax credits.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was defined", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what established the definition to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was defined" without a clear reference to what "it" refers to. Always ensure the subject is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the preceding context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was defined" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a definition was assigned to something. Ludwig's examples show its widespread use in academic and scientific contexts where precise meanings are crucial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was defined" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a definition has been established for a particular term or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests its prevalent use in academic, scientific, and news contexts. While its passive nature may sometimes warrant a more active voice for conciseness, the phrase remains a reliable choice for ensuring clarity, especially in formal writing. Be mindful of maintaining a clear reference to the defined subject to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "it was designated" or "it was characterized" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was described

Substitutes 'defined' with 'described', emphasizing the provision of details about its nature or attributes.

its definition was

Reorders the sentence structure to emphasize the definition itself.

it was characterised

Uses 'characterised' instead of 'defined', highlighting the description of key features or qualities.

it was designated

Replaces 'defined' with 'designated', implying a formal assignment or naming.

the definition provided was

Highlights that a specific definition was given, potentially from a particular source or context.

it was identified

Replaces 'defined' with 'identified', implying the characteristic was recognized or discovered.

it was determined

Changes 'defined' to 'determined', indicating the characteristic was ascertained through investigation or calculation.

it was deemed

Substitutes 'defined' with 'deemed', suggesting a judgment or assessment leading to a specific characterization.

it was delineated

Replaces 'defined' with 'delineated', suggesting a precise and clear outlining of its boundaries or scope.

it was predetermined

Changes 'defined' to 'predetermined', indicating the characteristic was decided in advance.

FAQs

How do I use "it was defined" in a sentence?

Use "it was defined" to refer back to a concept, term, or entity that has already been given a specific meaning or description. For example, "The term 'algorithm' "algorithm" it was defined as a set of rules to be followed in calculations."

What's the difference between "it was defined" and "it was described"?

"It was defined" implies a specific, often formal, meaning was assigned, while "it was described" suggests a more general account of characteristics or features. Use "it was defined" when a precise meaning is crucial. For example, "The legal term was defined" while "The landscape "landscape" was described."

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

You can use alternatives like "it was designated", "it was characterized", or "it was identified" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, "The area was designated /s/designated a protected zone" or "The disease "disease" it was identified by its symptoms."

Is it better to use active or passive voice when defining something?

While "it was defined" is passive, using an active voice can often make your writing more direct and concise. Instead of "it was defined by the committee", consider "the committee defined it" or "the author defined it as". However, the passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.