it was marred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was marred" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been damaged, spoiled, or blemished in some way. Example: "The beautiful painting was marred by a large scratch across the canvas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The former Tory home secretary Lord Howard today renewed his criticism of Clarke's green paper, claiming it was "marred by a flawed ideology" and its focus on tackling reoffending rates was "like solving only one side of a Rubik's Cube".

The Guardian

In 1999 it was marred by a shareholder-rights scandal when its boss, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, transferred a good part of the company's assets to offshore companies.

Forbes

It was marred by fraud and disorganisation.

The Economist

But Tubman claims it was marred by fraud.

The Guardian

But it was marred by scenes of chaos, with some leaders railing against one another.

The Guardian

But even before the race began, it was marred by charges of unprecedented vote buying.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I don't think it was marring anyone's view," she said.

The New York Times

This novel, another exploration of moral ambiguities, contains some of his most impressive writing, although it is marred by its contrived conclusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it is marred by peculiarities.

The New York Times - Arts

But it is marred by three related flaws.

The Economist

It's marred only by Talty's creation of a composite character.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was marred" to describe how a specific negative event or element detracted from an otherwise positive situation or experience. For example, "The beautiful wedding ceremony was marred by unexpected rain."

Common error

Avoid using "it was marred" when describing situations that were completely ruined or destroyed. "Marred" suggests a blemish or imperfection, not total devastation. Use stronger words like "destroyed" or "ruined" for more severe outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was marred" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject was negatively affected or spoiled by something. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was marred" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something was spoiled or negatively affected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for describing situations where an otherwise positive event or object was blemished by a specific flaw or occurrence. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media sources, showing its relevance for reporting on events with both positive and negative aspects. While alternatives like "it was spoiled" or "it was tainted" exist, "it was marred" effectively communicates a sense of imperfection or reduced quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was spoiled

Replaces "marred" with a more general term indicating damage or negative impact.

it was tainted

Suggests that something was corrupted or negatively influenced.

it was flawed

Indicates the presence of imperfections that reduced the overall quality.

it was blemished

Implies a disfiguring mark or imperfection.

it was tarnished

Suggests a loss of luster or reputation.

it was ruined

Indicates complete destruction or irreversible damage.

it was impaired

Highlights a weakened or damaged state.

it was compromised

Indicates that something was weakened or put at risk.

it was overshadowed

Suggests that something positive was diminished by a negative event.

it was blighted

Implies a destructive or withering effect.

FAQs

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

Use "it was marred" to indicate that something was spoiled or negatively affected by a particular event or circumstance. For example, "The otherwise successful event was marred by a last-minute cancellation".

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

You can use alternatives such as "it was spoiled", "it was tainted", or "it was flawed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was marred"?

Yes, "it was marred" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice of the verb "mar", indicating that something was negatively affected.

What is the difference between "it was marred" and "it was ruined"?

"It was marred" suggests that something was spoiled or blemished, but not completely destroyed. "It was ruined", on the other hand, indicates a more complete and irreversible form of damage.