it was forfeited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was forfeited" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been lost or given up, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "Due to the failure to meet the deadline, the contract was deemed invalid, and it was forfeited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Having explained that it was forfeited by its original owner in exchange for a bigger penis, the arm (Baker's) does some creditable penis-work of its own on Shandee, its new guardian – "she pulled him up to her clitty and he circled it.

The Guardian - Books

This bungalow, as he calls it, first belonged to a British officer, Captain Chapman, who bought the local estate after it was forfeited by one Sanghram Singh, a leading light in the great mutiny of 1857.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The player gets a single life; if it is forfeited, one must start again at the nearest passed checkpoint.

The New Yorker

By giving China more time to develop its capacity while neglecting our own, America is not just losing the clean-tech race, it's forfeiting it.

The New York Times

It is forfeiting the opportunity to make an impact.

Huffington Post

The manor of Sheldon was granted to Sir William de Beauvilain in about 1180; on his death, as a Norman, it was forfeit to The Crown as an escheat and then granted to the de Godarville family in 1231 by Henry III.

Wikipedia

About $200 million was forfeited when the preseason was canceled.

The New York Times - Sports

The 1997 tournament was forfeited due to NCAA sanctions.

Wikipedia

It cannot be forfeited so easily.

The Guardian - Opinion

It stands at a crossroads between an understandable desire to retain unionist power on the streets, at a time when it has been forfeited in government, and a lesser, but nonetheless significant role as the expression of the values, religious and moral, of the whole Protestant community.

The Economist

A court would then decide whether that money was indeed earned from criminal activity, and whether it should be forfeited permanently.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When talking about an object that was forfeited to a given receiver use "it was forfeited to" instead of just "it was forfeited".

Common error

Avoid using "it was forfeited" in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "lost" or "gave up" are generally more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was forfeited" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was lost or surrendered, often due to a rule violation or legal requirement. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often found in news reports and encyclopedic entries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was forfeited" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something has been lost or surrendered, often as a penalty. Ludwig AI validates that it appears mostly in neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, legal documents, and encyclopedic entries. It's best to reserve this phrase for situations where a formal or legal consequence is being described. Simpler terms like "lost" or "gave up" are generally more appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was surrendered

Focuses on the act of giving something up, often willingly.

it was relinquished

Implies a formal or official giving up of something.

it was lost

Highlights the fact of losing possession or a right.

it was yielded

Suggests giving way or conceding something, often under pressure.

it was ceded

Implies a formal transfer of territory or rights.

it was confiscated

Emphasizes the act of taking something away by authority.

it was seized

Highlights the act of taking something forcefully or abruptly.

it was surrendered to

Highlights the receiver of the loss

it was forfeited to

Highlights the receiver of the loss

it was renounced

Highlights the act of rejecting the object.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "it was forfeited"?

The phrase "it was forfeited" is best used in formal or legal contexts to describe something that has been lost or surrendered as a penalty or consequence. It's less common in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "it was forfeited" and "it was confiscated"?

"It was forfeited" implies a loss due to a rule violation or breach of contract, while "it was confiscated" implies that something was seized by authority. You can use "it was confiscated" when an object is taken by someone else.

Are there synonyms for "it was forfeited" that I can use in more informal settings?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it was lost", "it was given up", or "it was surrendered". Consider the level of formality required for your writing.

Can I say "it was forfeited by" someone?

Yes, the construction "it was forfeited by" is grammatically correct and indicates who lost or surrendered something. Alternatively, you can rephrase to say that someone forfeited something.