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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
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it was first administered
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it was first administered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the initial application or distribution of a treatment, medication, or intervention. Example: "The vaccine was first administered to healthcare workers before being rolled out to the general public."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(7)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
More than 1,200 colleges and universities have participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement since it was first administered in 2000 by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research.
News & Media
The test most commonly used by American institutions, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or Toefl, added a spoken portion in 2005 when it was first administered online.
News & Media
It was first administered in 1995 and seeks to provide a 'level playing field' to select an intentionally heterogeneous cohort [ 1].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
All of these endpoints contribute to an integrated CV risk assessment of the drug before it is first administered to humans.
Guangdong was first administered as a separate entity in 997 ce; it was from this time that the term Guangdong (Chinese: "Eastern Expanses") began to be used.
Encyclopedias
When the writing portion of the test was first administered in the 1999-2000 school year, only 6 of about 90,000 students who took it statewide received the high score of 6, on a scale of 1 to 6.
News & Media
The survey was first administered in 2011.
The Graduate Record Examination, which was first administered via computer in 1992, is now almost entirely computerized.
News & Media
BCG, which was first administered in 1921, remains the only broadly implemented TB vaccine in the world.
News & Media
In 1999, the year the test was first administered, only 33.6percentt of Yonkers's fourth graders had met the state standard.
News & Media
Buprenorphine was first administered at the patient's current dose (Days 1 2), followed by a direct switch to buprenorphine/naloxone (Days 3 5).
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using the phrase "it was first administered", ensure that the subject (the 'it') is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of: "It was first administered in 2000," specify: "The survey was first administered in 2000".
Common error
Avoid using the phrase "it is first administered" when referring to a past event. The correct tense is "it was first administered". Using the present tense implies the event is currently happening for the first time, which is usually not the intended meaning.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it was first administered" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was initially given or applied. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's often used to describe the start of a process, treatment, or implementation.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
33%
Academia
17%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "it was first administered" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the initial application or implementation of something. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity and maintain correct tense usage. Alternatives like "it was initially given" or "it was originally administered" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. The contexts in which this phrase appears tend to be authoritative, as seen by the common occurrence in The New York Times, BMC Medical Education, and CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it was initially administered
This alternative simply replaces "first" with "initially", maintaining the same meaning.
it was originally administered
Substituting "first" with "originally" shifts the focus to the origin or starting point.
it was initially given
Changing "administered" to "given" makes the phrase slightly more informal.
it was first introduced
Replacing "administered" with "introduced" suggests the start of something new.
it was first implemented
Switching "administered" to "implemented" emphasizes the practical application of something.
it was first applied
Using "applied" instead of "administered" highlights the use of something for a specific purpose.
it was first used
Replacing "administered" with "used" offers a more general and less formal way of expressing initial application.
the initial administration was
Rephrasing to put "administration" as the subject changes the sentence structure.
administration began with
This alternative phrase shifts the focus to the beginning of the administration process.
the first instance of administration was
This more formal alternative emphasizes the very first occurrence of the administration.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "it was first administered" to sound more formal?
For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the initial administration was" or "administration commenced with". These alternatives emphasize the official or procedural aspect of the action.
What are some synonyms for "administered" in the context of "it was first administered"?
Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "implemented", "applied", "given", or "introduced". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is "it was first administered" always used in the past tense?
Yes, "it was first administered" is typically used to describe an action that began in the past. If you're referring to something that will be administered for the first time in the future, you'd say "it will be first administered".
What's the difference between "it was first administered" and "it was initially given"?
While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it was first administered" is generally more formal and often used in official or medical contexts. "It was initially given" is slightly more informal and can be used in a broader range of situations.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested