it was depressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was depressed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of feeling low or sad, often in reference to a person or an object that is personified. Example: "After the news of the layoffs, the atmosphere in the office was so heavy that it was depressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"While driving 55 miles per hour, the accelerator pedal snapped and went underneath the brake pedal when it was depressed.

The New York Times

He examined the accelerator pedal immediately and saw it was depressed and trapped halfway by a buckling of the floor mat, which had slid over the pedal.

The New York Times

Instead, you want to absorb the key lesson: when the coop was depressed, it was depressed because of inadequate demand, and this inadequacy could be cured by issuing more scrip — money that was created by fiat.

The New York Times

Still, even the third Bravada showed some of the same deficiencies noted last winter: wind roar, uncommunicative steering and a mushy brake pedal that made a "whoosh" each time it was depressed.

The New York Times

With lower earnings and higher unemployment rates leaving them with a thinner safety net to begin with, black families were more likely to take funds out of the market when it was depressed, leaving them out in the cold as the market recovered.

The New York Times

She said that while the city was counting on Wall Street profits of $12.8 billion in 2002, the actual number would likely be lower since it was only $5 billion in the first half and preliminary data showed that it was depressed in the last few months.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And it was depressing him.

The New York Times

The others thought it was depressing.

The Guardian - Music

"It was depressing – a dark, lonely time.

The Guardian - Music

This is not happening,' " she said, adding, "It was depressing.

The New York Times - Sports

But their ambition – or complete lack of it – was depressing.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was depressed" to describe market conditions or economic states, ensure the context clearly establishes what 'it' refers to (e.g., 'the stock market', 'housing prices').

Common error

Be careful not to use "it was depressed" when you mean to describe a person's emotional state. Use "he/she/they were depressed" instead, to avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was depressed" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a subject (represented by "it") was in a state of reduced activity, value, or emotional state. Ludwig's examples show varied applications, from economic downturns to metaphorical descriptions of objects or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was depressed" is grammatically sound and commonly used to describe a past state of reduced activity, value, or emotional condition. As Ludwig AI highlights, it frequently appears in news and media, as well as in scientific and wiki contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context is clear, especially when referring to economic or market conditions, and to avoid ambiguity when describing a person's emotional state. While the phrase is valid and well-documented in Ludwig, remember it has also alternatives that can provide a better nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it felt despondent

Replaces 'depressed' with 'despondent' to emphasize a feeling of hopelessness.

it seemed gloomy

Substitutes 'depressed' with 'gloomy' to describe a dark or dismal atmosphere.

it appeared disheartened

Uses 'disheartened' instead of 'depressed' to suggest a loss of spirit or enthusiasm.

it became subdued

Replaces 'depressed' with 'subdued' to indicate a reduction in intensity or activity.

it had diminished

Focuses on the reduced state of something, replacing the emotional connotation.

it underwent decline

Emphasizes a downward trend or deterioration, differing from the emotional tone.

it was inactive

Shifts the focus to a lack of activity rather than an emotional state.

it experienced stagnation

Indicates a state of inactivity or lack of progress, a more neutral alternative.

it regressed

Suggests a return to a former, less developed state, changing the context slightly.

it deteriorated

Focuses on the worsening condition of something, a more physical or objective change.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was depressed" to describe a state of feeling low or sad, often referring to a market, economy, or an object being personified. For example, "The housing market "it was depressed" after the financial crisis".

What are some alternatives to "it was depressed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "it felt gloomy", "it seemed subdued", or "it appeared disheartened".

Is it correct to use "it was depressed" to describe a person?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and appropriate to say "he/she/they were depressed" when referring to a person's emotional state to avoid confusion.

What's the difference between "it was depressed" and "it was depressing"?

"It was depressed" describes something that is in a state of low activity or sadness. "It was depressing", on the other hand, describes something that causes feelings of sadness or low spirits. For example, "The news "it was depressing" to hear", meaning the news caused sadness.