Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

it was did

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was did" is grammatically incorrect and would not be used in written English.
It does not make sense as a sentence. It is possible that it was intended to be the passive form of the verb "do," but even in that case, it would be grammatically incorrect. A correct passive construction would be "it was done." Example: Incorrect: "After being repaired, the car was did and ready to drive." Correct: "After being repaired, the car was ready to drive."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

And if it was, did that even matter?

News & Media

The New York Times

His generosity to defeated opponents, magnanimous though it was, did not win their affection.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

The fighting, nasty as it was, did not completely overshadow the game, at least for some.

News & Media

The New York Times

The play, as great as it was, did not affect whether the Angels won or lost.

News & Media

The New York Times

But the turnaround, late as it was, did not do much for his mood.

That's the way it was: Did we say all the lines right?

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

So it was done.

News & Media

The New York Times

FINALLY it was done.

News & Media

The Economist

"It was done on purpose.

News & Media

The New York Times

(It was done in Vienna).

News & Media

The New York Times

By June it was done.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an action that has been completed, use "it was done" instead of "it was did" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is using the base form of the verb ("did") instead of the past participle ("done") after the auxiliary verb "was". Always remember to use "done" to form the passive voice correctly. For instance, instead of "the work it was did", use "the work "it was done"".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was did" is an ungrammatical construction. In standard English, the past participle "done" should be used with the auxiliary verb "was" to form the passive voice. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was did" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct form is ""it was done"", using the past participle "done". As Ludwig AI confirms, this error undermines clarity and credibility in writing. Alternative constructions like "it was completed" or "it was executed" may be appropriate depending on the specific context. Always ensure the correct verb form to maintain grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something was completed?

The correct phrase is ""it was done"". The word "done" is the past participle of the verb "do" and is required for the passive voice construction.

Is "it was did" grammatically correct?

No, "it was did" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is ""it was done"", which uses the past participle "done".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was done"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "it was completed", "it was finished", or "it was executed".

How can I avoid using incorrect verb forms like "did" after "was"?

Always remember to use the past participle form of the verb after "was" when constructing passive voice sentences. For example, use "it was written" instead of "it was wrote".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: