it was dropped

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was dropped' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it any time you would like to convey that something has been dropped, or let go of. For example: The basketball player passed the ball to his teammate, but it was dropped.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sprout pharmaceutical company picked up the drug in 2011 after it was dropped by its initial developer, Boehringer Ingelheim.

The Guardian

When The Times chose not to alter its formula at the B.C.S.'s request, it was dropped.

The New York Times - Sports

(After some wrangling, it was dropped).

The New York Times - Books

When it was dropped, he was heartily booed — perhaps unfairly.

The New York Times - Sports

It was dropped from service after the war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When it was dropped, she started to cry.

The Guardian

The CBS show eventually appeared in other time slots until it was dropped in 1959.

The New York Times - Arts

But after the provision was distorted as reimbursement for "death panels," it was dropped.

The New York Times - Magazine

Corp. showed a derringer that wouldn't go off if it was dropped.

The New Yorker

After a year at that price, it was dropped to $739,000.

The New York Times

It was dropped by the United States on Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6 , 1945

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was dropped" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of an action, highlighting that something was let go of, discontinued, or abandoned without specifying who or what caused it.

Common error

Avoid using "it was dropped" when you need to specify who or what performed the action. In such cases, use the active voice for clarity (e.g., "The company dropped the project" instead of "It was dropped by the company").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was dropped" primarily functions as a passive voice construction. This indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action, rather than performing it. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was dropped" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to convey that something has been discontinued, abandoned, or released. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. The phrase functions as a passive voice construction, focusing on the object that underwent the action. When writing, remember to consider the level of formality and whether specifying the actor is necessary. Alternative phrases like "it was discontinued" or "it was abandoned" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was discontinued

Focuses on the action of ceasing something, often referring to products or services.

it was abandoned

Emphasizes the act of leaving something behind, suggesting neglect or lack of further interest.

it was terminated

Implies a formal or official ending, often used in the context of agreements or contracts.

it was canceled

Suggests that an event or plan was called off.

it was withdrawn

Indicates that something was taken back or removed from consideration.

it was scrapped

Implies that something was discarded or eliminated, often due to being deemed unusable or ineffective.

it was removed

Focuses on the physical act of taking something away.

it was shelved

Suggests that something was put aside for potential future use, but is currently inactive.

it was omitted

Highlights the act of excluding something from a list or document.

it was rejected

Indicates that something was not accepted or approved.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was dropped" to indicate that something was discontinued or abandoned. For example, "The investigation "it was dropped" due to lack of evidence."

What's a more formal alternative to "it was dropped"?

More formal alternatives include "it was terminated", "it was discontinued", or "it was abandoned", depending on the specific context.

Is "it was dropped" always grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was dropped" is grammatically correct when used in the passive voice to indicate that something was let go of or discontinued. However, ensure that the passive voice is appropriate for the context and doesn't obscure necessary information.

What's the difference between "it was dropped" and "it dropped"?

"It was dropped" is in the passive voice, focusing on the object that was dropped. "It dropped" is in the active voice (though grammatically incomplete on its own), suggesting that something fell or was released (e.g., "The price dropped").