it was hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was hurt" is not correct in standard written English.
You might be trying to express that something was injured or caused pain, but the phrase lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "After the accident, it was hurt, and we had to take it to the vet."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Supposedly the unnamed hurricane of 1944 did a lot of its damage because it was hurt at having no name.

The New Yorker

The New York-based firm said Wednesday that it had been able to pull in new business during its fourth quarter, but it was hurt by the declining value of its assets and the strengthening of the dollar.

Forbes

H & R Block Inc. said today that it lost $51.8 million in its most recent quarter, when it was hurt by increased costs in its tax preparation services and expenses from acquisitions it made to try to become a year-round provider of financial services.

The New York Times

It was hurt by its last big overhaul in the fall of 1995 when it was given a rhapsody in ridiculous ovals, plus two completely different V-6 engines of the same size.

Forbes

Fannie Mae disputes the Sonic Capital analysis and says that its reported profit reflects the reality of its business, although it acknowledges that it was hurt when interest rates dropped.

The New York Times

It took steps in February to retain its manufacturing in Germany, cutting worker hours, but it was hurt by proposed changes to government incentive programs and increasing restrictions on the use of arable land and construction of the large, ground-mounted solar systems that are the core of its business.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Then, it was hurting badly.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't think it was hurting.

The New York Times

And he knew it was hurting me.

The New Yorker

It was hurting me in that ballpark".

The New York Times

I wanted to cry, it was hurting.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something that has been harmed or damaged, use more precise language like "it was damaged", "it was harmed", or "it sustained injuries" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "it was hurt" to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Reserve "hurt" for living beings capable of feeling physical or emotional pain, or use a more appropriate alternative like "damaged" or "affected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was hurt" functions as a passive construction, indicating that 'it' received a negative impact or damage. While used to convey harm, Ludwig AI explains that it often lacks precision and grammatical correctness in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was hurt" is frequently used, especially in News & Media, but it is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English, according to Ludwig AI. It's a passive construction used to indicate damage or negative impact. While common, more precise alternatives such as "it was damaged" or "it was harmed" are recommended for formal contexts. Using more specific language can enhance clarity and grammatical accuracy in writing. Therefore, while widely understood, writers should exercise caution and consider context-appropriate substitutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it sustained damage

Focuses on the damage received, emphasizing a more formal tone.

it suffered harm

Highlights the experience of harm or negative impact.

it was negatively impacted

Emphasizes the negative consequences experienced.

it was adversely affected

Highlights the detrimental influence received.

it experienced setbacks

Refers to difficulties or impediments faced.

it was impaired

Indicates diminished functionality or capability.

it took a beating

Conveys a sense of being heavily damaged or affected.

it incurred losses

Focuses on financial or material losses suffered.

it bore the brunt

Emphasizes the endurance of the worst part of something negative.

it came off worse

Indicates a less favorable outcome compared to others.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "it was hurt"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was damaged", "it was harmed", "it sustained damage", or "it was negatively impacted".

Is "it was hurt" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, Ludwig AI explains that "it was hurt" is often considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's better to use more precise alternatives.

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

While generally discouraged in formal writing, "it was hurt" may be acceptable in informal speech or when describing a sentient being experiencing pain. However, even in those cases, consider using more specific language.

How can I improve my writing to avoid using "it was hurt"?

Focus on using stronger verbs and more descriptive language. For example, instead of saying "the company was hurt by the recession", try "the recession damaged the company's profits" or "the recession negatively impacted the company's bottom line".