it was delivered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was delivered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something being sent or received. For example, "The package it was delivered late yesterday evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In court it was delivered with more of a grimace.

The Guardian

It was delivered online by the independent provider as part of its training program [ 70].

BMC Health Services Research

It was delivered through several mailings.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

It was announced before it was delivered.

The New York Times

Graham said he would make sure it was delivered.

The Washington Post

Every morning it was delivered to Room 313.

The New York Times

It was delivered by Ruth Rogers, the London chef.

The New Yorker

It was delivered to him in a Manila envelope marked.

The New Yorker

"We are not pleased with the way it was delivered".

The New York Times

It was delivered to the State Department on Oct. 19.

The New York Times

In fact, it was delivered to him in January.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey. "Shipped" implies transportation, while "presented" suggests a formal offering.

Common error

Avoid using "it was delivered" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The speech was delivered by the president", write "The president delivered the speech".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was delivered" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (the 'it') underwent the action of delivery. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

38%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was delivered" is a grammatically sound and very common passive construction used to indicate that something has been successfully transmitted or presented. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile, appearing in news articles, scientific papers, and everyday conversation. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and consider whether an active voice might be more impactful. Related phrases like "it was sent" or "it was presented" can provide subtle differences in meaning, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was handed over

Replaces "delivered" with "handed over", focusing on the physical act of transferring something.

it was given

A simpler and more general way to express the act of transferring something.

it was sent

Similar to "delivered" but focuses on the act of sending rather than receiving.

it was presented

Shifts the focus to the act of formally introducing or offering something.

it was provided

Emphasizes the act of supplying or making something available.

it was transferred

Highlights the action of moving something from one place or person to another.

it was shipped

Specifically refers to the act of transporting goods.

it was conveyed

Highlights the act of communicating or transmitting information or an object.

it was transmitted

Often used when referring to the sending of data or signals.

it was dispatched

Implies sending something quickly and efficiently, especially for official purposes.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was delivered" to describe the action of something being transported or presented. For example, "The package was delivered on time" or "The message was delivered with clarity".

What's a more formal way to say "it was delivered"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "it was presented", "it was conveyed", or "it was transmitted", depending on the context.

What are some common alternatives to "it was delivered"?

Some common alternatives include "it was sent", "it was given", or "it was handed over", which offer slight variations in meaning and emphasis.

Is "it was delivered" passive voice?

Yes, "it was delivered" is in the passive voice. The subject "it" receives the action of being delivered, rather than performing the action.