it was divested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was divested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of selling or disposing of an asset, investment, or property. Example: "After careful consideration, the company announced that it was divested of its non-core business units to focus on its main operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

ShipCom recently became an independent company after it was divested by Eastman Chemical.

The New York Times

(See "Damage Control for Altria" ) Recent legal victories for Altria have eased the way for it to spin off Kraft by reducing the odds that tobacco litigants would try to go after the asset after it was divested.

Forbes

After casting and cooling the framework, it was divested and sandblasted with 50 μm aluminum oxide powder avoiding damage to the implant cylinder platform areas.

Clinical Oral Implants Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Last year, the foundation announced that it was divesting fossil fuels from its endowment.

The Guardian

As a result of this analysis, ANU declared that it was divesting in a few carbon exposed companies.

The Guardian

A prominent private equity firm announced that it was divesting itself of the company that makes the Bushmaster rifle, which was used in the mass shooting of 20 children and seven adults in Connecticut on Friday.

The New York Times

Shares of Veolia Environnement rose 3.5%, to 16.51 euros ($20.90) in Paris, after the company said it was divesting assets worth $3.1 billion to cope with a slump in demand.

Forbes

A month later, Stanford University announced it was divesting from the coal industry.

Huffington Post

The real problem is that now that the job is in the public eye, it is divested of any "real life" significance and can only be lauded in a PR-contaminated world.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's divesting business units, such as the recent sale of the German retail banking division, and will reduce employees by attrition.

Forbes

In other words, even if all university endowments held only fossil fuel stocks and every stock was divested, it's still only 1.5percentt of the value of underground carbon holdings.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was divested", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, and that the reason for divestment is either stated or easily inferred for clarity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "it was divested" in situations where active voice would provide a more direct and engaging statement. For example, instead of "it was divested by the company", consider "the company divested it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was divested" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a particular asset, business unit, or holding underwent the action of being divested by an unspecified actor. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was divested" is a grammatically sound passive construction typically used in formal and professional contexts, such as news, science, and encyclopedia entries, to describe the action of selling or relinquishing ownership of an asset. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent, its meaning is clear, and alternative phrases like "it was sold off" or "it was disposed of" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was sold off

Replaces 'divested' with 'sold off', emphasizing the sale aspect of the transaction.

it was relinquished

Uses 'relinquished' to highlight the voluntary surrender of something.

it was disposed of

A general term for getting rid of something, either by selling or discarding.

it was ceded

Implies a formal transfer of control or ownership, often under duress.

it was transferred

Focuses on the act of transferring ownership or control to another party.

it was shed

Emphasizes the act of getting rid of something no longer wanted or needed.

it was offloaded

Suggests a quick and efficient removal of an asset or responsibility.

ownership was transferred

Emphasizes that the subject's ownership of something ended.

it was handed over

Highlights the transfer of control or responsibility to another party.

it was reassigned

Focuses on the change in assignment or ownership to someone else.

FAQs

What does "it was divested" mean?

The phrase "it was divested" means that something, typically an asset, investment, or property, was sold off or otherwise disposed of by its owner. This often occurs as part of a strategic decision to focus on core business activities.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was sold off", "it was relinquished", or "it was disposed of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was divested" formal or informal language?

"It was divested" is considered relatively formal language, often used in business, legal, or financial contexts. In more casual settings, alternatives like "it was sold" or "it was gotten rid of" might be more appropriate.

How to use "it was divested" in a sentence?

To use "it was divested" correctly, ensure the subject ("it") is clearly defined and the context implies a deliberate decision to sell or relinquish control. For instance, "The subsidiary was underperforming, so "it was divested" to streamline the company's operations."