it was ignited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was ignited" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of starting a fire or initiating combustion in a specific context. Example: "The dry leaves were piled high, and soon enough, it was ignited by a single spark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The controversy, reductive as it was, ignited Neshat's career.

The New Yorker

Certainly some of the excitement surrounding it was ignited by "Precious" in 2009.

The New York Times

Investigators said they believed it was ignited by an electrical problem.

The New York Times

Alas, the European revolution did not start in France: it was ignited in Palermo, Sicily, on Jan . 12 , 1848

The New York Times

It was ignited by sparks from part of the landing gear that had also been damaged by debris.

Independent

Instead, and not to any great surprise, it was ignited in a blaze of emotion and controversy.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It's ignited a conversation that's very important".

The Guardian - Film

Once this mixture is properly compressed, it is ignited by a spark plug.

The Economist

Scramjets (in which the fuel/air mixture is still travelling supersonically when it is ignited) are even more temperamental.

The Economist

Eudaimonia is constructive in the sense that it's ignited by those creators and builders — and it always has been.

Harvard Business Review

I have also had the pleasure of witnessing that fire of a passion for reading at the very moment it is ignited.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was ignited" to describe the beginning of a process, event, or strong emotion. Ensure the subject you're referencing can logically be "ignited."

Common error

Avoid using "it was ignited" for situations where 'started' or 'began' would be more appropriate and less dramatic. Overuse can diminish the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was ignited" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject underwent ignition. This highlights the result of an action rather than the actor. Ludwig AI supports this with examples from news, scientific literature, and general media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was ignited" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the initiation of an event, often with a sense of suddenness or intensity. Ludwig AI's analysis of diverse sources reveals its common usage in news and media, as well as science, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, mindful application is crucial to avoid overuse and maintain the phrase's impact. Alternatives such as "it was sparked" or "it was triggered" may offer greater nuance in specific contexts. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and frequently employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was sparked

Replaces "ignited" with "sparked", suggesting a sudden burst or beginning.

it was triggered

Emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship, where something sets off a chain of events.

it was initiated

Formal and neutral alternative, indicating the start of a process or action.

it was set off

Similar to "triggered", but can also imply an unintended or accidental start.

it was activated

Suggests bringing something into operation, especially a mechanism or system.

it was commenced

A more formal way of saying "started", often used in official contexts.

it was launched

Implies a deliberate beginning, often used for projects or campaigns.

it was prompted

Suggests that something has encouraged or caused an action

it was fueled

Implicates an encouragement that led to an action.

it was begun

Simple and direct alternative, but less common in modern usage.

FAQs

What does "it was ignited" mean?

The phrase "it was ignited" means something was set on fire, either literally or metaphorically. It suggests the start of something, often with energy or intensity.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was sparked", "it was triggered", or "it was initiated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was ignited by"?

Yes, "it was ignited by" is a grammatically correct construction. It indicates the cause or source that started the ignition. For example, "The controversy was ignited by his remarks."

How do I use "it was ignited" in a sentence?

Use "it was ignited" to describe a literal or figurative event that has been set in motion. For instance, "The fire was ignited by a lightning strike", or "Her passion for justice was ignited by the injustice she witnessed."