it was marked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was marked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was noticed, identified, or distinguished by a mark, label, sign, or symbol. For example, "The door was marked 'exit' for everyone to recognize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was marked "Trust Account".

The New York Times

It was marked by a small plaque.

The New Yorker

Whatever she wanted, it was marked 'schnell'schnell

The Guardian

Sent via FedEx, it was marked Joyeux Noël (Happy Christmas).

The Guardian - Arts

Originally $1,500, it was marked down to $800.

The New York Times - Style

It was marked by the flight of hundreds of mockingbirds.

The New Yorker

It was marked down from $39 to $29.

The New York Times - Tech

On the club's rack, it was marked $120.

The New York Times

It was marked by only a sign on the road.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I got it back, it was marked up like a Christmas tree.

The New York Times

Mr. Miller said it was marked "gheir saleh," Arabic for "unpleasant".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context is clear when using "it was marked by" to avoid ambiguity; specify what the subject was marked by.

Common error

Avoid using "it was marked" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "It was marked by the teacher", consider "The teacher marked it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was marked" primarily functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that a subject received a mark or designation, as seen in Ludwig's examples, where items are literally marked with labels or prices, or figuratively marked by events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was marked" is a versatile construction used to describe the designation, identification, or characterization of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific literature. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various writing styles, though writers should be mindful of using the active voice for directness. Common alternatives include "it was labeled" and "it was designated", offering nuanced ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was labeled

Replaces "marked" with "labeled", emphasizing identification through a label.

it was tagged

Substitutes "marked" with "tagged", suggesting an attachment of a tag for identification.

it was designated

Uses "designated" instead of "marked", highlighting that something was officially assigned or specified.

it was identified

Replaces "marked" with "identified", focusing on the act of recognizing or distinguishing something.

it was characterized

Emphasizes the description of something by replacing "marked" with "characterized".

it was distinguished

Highlights the act of differentiating something by using "distinguished" instead of "marked".

it was denoted

Focuses on the symbolic representation by substituting "marked" with "denoted".

it was distinguished by

Highlights a defining attribute, rather than a literal marking.

it was known for

Shifts focus to common recognition or reputation.

it was notable for

Emphasizes the characteristic of being worthy of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was marked" to indicate that something was designated or identified in a specific way. For example, "The package "it was marked" 'fragile'".

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

Alternatives include "it was labeled", "it was tagged", or "it was designated", depending on the context.

Is "it was marked" the same as "it was marred"?

No, "it was marked" means something was labeled or identified, while "it was marred" means something was damaged or spoiled.

When should I use "it was marked by" instead of "it was marked"?

Use "it was marked by" when you want to indicate that something was characterized or distinguished by a particular event or feature, such as "The year "it was marked by" significant changes".