it was encountered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was encountered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation or object that was found or met during an experience or process. Example: "During the research, it was encountered that certain variables had a significant impact on the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Ms. Lambert recalled that Bronfman had to be brought around to accepting the building's lofty glazed base: Mies insisted that Bronfman lean down to the pedestrian's level to see on the model just how beautiful the effect would be of entering a glazed void under a lofty tower, especially when it was encountered on a plaza that broke the great line of Park Avenue's masonry cliff face.

The New York Times

Each claim was coded once – the first time it was encountered.

Comparative Migration Studies

It changes based on both location and time of day, and Roeber and Garb explained that in testing, the produced a reaction of wonder and enjoyment not just the first time it was encountered by users in testing, but every time after that as well, thanks to its dynamic nature.

TechCrunch

In 1843 it was described without being named by Hall, and more than 100 years passed before it was eventually named for the natural gas field in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, where it was encountered when drilling gas wells.

Wikipedia

Wherever it was encountered, skilled empathic care was remembered vividly and with profound gratitude.

BMJ Open

Finally, the presence of a cleft palate is not obligatory for the diagnosis, although it was encountered in 97 % of our patients [ 9, 44].

Clinical Oral Investigations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It was encountering the children themselves that convinced Mr. Goldberg to take part.

The New York Times

Exxon was afraid of the high pressures and temperatures it was encountering down hole.

Forbes

The Welsh Ambulance Service said it was "encountering difficulties" in maintaining a normal service for routine patient transport across Wales.

BBC

This problem is challenging because it is encountered in many real-world applications.

Theoretical Computer Science

It shouldn't be made harder by being overlooked every time it is encountered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was encountered" to describe situations where something was discovered unexpectedly or as part of a process. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "encountered" in an active voice construction when a passive construction is more appropriate. For example, prefer "it was encountered" over "we encountered it" if the emphasis is on the 'it' rather than 'we'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was encountered" functions as a passive construction, typically used to describe something that was found, met, or experienced. This construction allows the speaker or writer to emphasize the object or situation that was encountered rather than the actor who did the encountering, which aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was encountered" is a versatile passive construction, commonly used to describe the discovery or experience of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and prevalent in both scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "it was found" or "it was discovered" exist, "it was encountered" carries a nuance of meeting or experiencing something, not just finding it. Remember to maintain a passive voice and ensure clarity in your writing when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was found

Focuses more on the discovery aspect rather than a general meeting or experience.

it was discovered

Similar to "it was found" but often implies a more deliberate search or investigation.

it was met

Implies a meeting or confrontation, often with something challenging or unexpected.

it was experienced

Emphasizes the personal or subjective aspect of coming across something.

it was observed

Suggests a more detached or scientific observation of something.

it was identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or classifying something specific.

it was detected

Often used in technical or scientific contexts to indicate the presence of something.

it was noticed

Implies a more casual or unintentional observation.

it was faced

Highlights a challenge or problem that needed to be addressed.

it was undergone

Indicates that something has been experienced or subjected to a process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was encountered" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "it was discovered", "it was identified", or "it was observed" for a more formal tone depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it was encountered" and "it was found"?

"It was encountered" suggests a meeting or experience, while "it was found" typically implies a discovery. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the meeting or the finding aspect.

Is "it was encountered by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was encountered by" is grammatically correct and emphasizes who or what did the encountering. For example, "The error was encountered by the user" is a valid passive construction.

When is it better to use "we encountered" instead of "it was encountered"?

Use "we encountered" when you want to emphasize the action of encountering something by a specific group or person. "It was encountered" is more suitable when you want to focus on what was encountered, not who did the encountering.