it was dominated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was dominated by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or context where one element or factor has a controlling influence over another. Example: "The discussion was dominated by the opinions of the senior members, leaving little room for input from the newer team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The trouble with Symbian, from Motorola's point of view, was that it was dominated by Nokia, its larger rival.

The Economist

And it was dominated by the excellence of its music making.

The New York Times - Arts

Each of the three day care centres, together with the cohort of individuals linked to it, was dominated by a serotype of its own (19F, 18C, 9V).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Culturally, it was dominated by European Modernism throughout the 20th century, when its values shaped industrial design worldwide, even in North America.

The New York Times - Arts

Asimov said it was dominated by oak.

The New York Times - Food

Compared with the 1980s, when it was dominated by prominent leaders like the Revs.

The New York Times

Partly because it was dominated by Soviet industrial behemoths, paternalism and collectivism are still strong there.

The Economist

It was dominated by the French after 1797 and passed to Austria in 1814.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was dominated by Moroccans, Ethiopians, and Kenyans; Ryan Hall finished fourteenth overall.

The New Yorker

The market was still small, and it was dominated by Adidas.

The New Yorker

But it was dominated by Palestine and less productive in the oil department.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider the active voice alternative if appropriate. Instead of "The meeting was dominated by the CEO", you could write "The CEO dominated the meeting" if that is more direct and effective.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "it was dominated by" is grammatically correct, using active voice can make your writing more engaging and direct. For example, prefer "Large corporations dominated the industry" over "The industry was dominated by large corporations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was dominated by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject was under the control or strong influence of something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts, affirming its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was dominated by" serves as a passive construction used to express control or significant influence exerted by one factor over another. Ludwig confirms its widespread applicability across various domains, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically sound, writers should consider active voice alternatives for enhanced engagement. Remember to use it carefully in your text so that the meaning is clear and avoid ambiguities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was controlled by

Replaces "dominated" with "controlled", indicating a more direct form of power or influence.

it was governed by

Substitutes "dominated" with "governed", suggesting a structured system of rule or management.

it was run by

Suggests a system was administrated by someone

it was led by

Indicates leadership rather than overall control or influence.

it was characterized by

Changes the focus to the defining characteristics rather than direct control.

it was defined by

Highlights the defining features that were most prominent.

it was influenced by

Indicates a less forceful impact compared to "dominated".

it was shaped by

Suggests a formative influence that molds something over time.

it was subject to

Indicates that something was forced to be under the power of something

it was overshadowed by

Implies that one element was less noticeable due to the prominence of another.

FAQs

How can I use "it was dominated by" in a sentence?

Use "it was dominated by" to describe situations where one entity or factor exerts significant control or influence over another. For instance, "The discussion "it was dominated by" the opinions of senior members".

What are some alternatives to "it was dominated by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was controlled by", "it was governed by", or "it was influenced by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "dominated by"?

While "it was dominated by" (passive) is correct, consider using the active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, "The CEO dominated the meeting" is more active than "The meeting "it was dominated by" the CEO".

What's the difference between "it was influenced by" and "it was dominated by"?

"It was influenced by" suggests a more subtle effect, where one thing affects another. "It was dominated by" indicates a stronger, more controlling presence.