it was forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was forgotten" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been overlooked or not remembered in the past. Example: "The important details of the meeting were discussed, but unfortunately, it was forgotten by most attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

After the site was abandoned, probably in the 4th century, it was forgotten until its rediscovery in the 1990s.

Wikipedia

A 16-month-old child has died after it was forgotten by one of its parents and left in a car for several hours, a Swiss prosecutor has said.

Independent

Arguably, this is now Workflow's killer feature – before, the app could get buried on your iPhone's back screen where it was forgotten about, but having its own widget could turn it into something you use daily.

TechCrunch

Then it was forgotten.

The New York Times

For almost seventy years, it was forgotten.

The New Yorker

After that, it was forgotten.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It's forgotten about.

The New Yorker

It's forgotten now.

The Guardian

Now it's forgotten.

The Guardian - Money

"It's forgotten.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it's forgotten now.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was forgotten" to clearly indicate that something was overlooked or not remembered. Ensure the context provides clarity about what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it was forgotten" when an active construction is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "It was forgotten by the team", consider "The team forgot it" if you want to emphasize responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was forgotten" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something or someone was not remembered or was overlooked. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to express that an action happened to the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was forgotten" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction to indicate something was overlooked or not remembered. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in what "it" refers to and consider if an active voice construction might be more direct. Being aware of alternative phrases, like "it was overlooked" and avoiding common mistakes, such as misusing the passive voice, will help refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was overlooked

Suggests a failure to notice something, implying it might still exist but wasn't seen.

it faded from memory

Highlights the gradual loss of recollection over time.

it became a distant memory

Similar to fading from memory, but emphasizes the emotional distance created by time.

it slipped one's mind

Focuses on the act of forgetting by a person, rather than the state of being forgotten.

it was lost to history

Indicates something significant has been forgotten over a long period of time.

it was no longer considered

Emphasizes that the thing was not only forgotten but not used.

it was disregarded

Emphasizes a conscious decision to ignore something, not just forgetting it.

it was left behind

Suggests abandonment or moving on from something, leading to it being forgotten.

it was consigned to oblivion

A more dramatic and formal way to say something was completely forgotten and lost.

it was buried in the past

Implies that the forgetting was intentional, to avoid recalling unpleasant memories.

FAQs

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

Use "it was forgotten" to indicate that something has been overlooked or not remembered. For example: "The crucial detail was included in the document, but "it was forgotten" during the presentation".

What can I say instead of "it was forgotten"?

You can use alternatives like "it was overlooked", "it slipped one's mind", or "it was disregarded" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was forgotten" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was forgotten" is grammatically correct. It is a passive construction using the past participle of the verb "forget".

What's the difference between "it was forgotten" and "it is forgotten"?

"It was forgotten" refers to something that was forgotten in the past, while "it is forgotten" refers to something that is currently in a state of being forgotten. For example, "The old song was once popular, but "it was forgotten" after many years." vs "The old song isn't played anymore, "it is forgotten" by the current generation".