it was masterminded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was masterminded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a plan or scheme that was carefully and skillfully devised by someone. Example: "The elaborate heist was so successful because it was masterminded by a criminal mastermind with years of experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It was masterminded by the legendary set designer Dante Ferretti, and Annie Lennox sang.

The New York Times - Style

It was masterminded by a young man called J Edgar Hoover, who learned then the tactics of indiscriminate smearing he was to use throughout the cold war.

Independent

It was masterminded by Michael Colina, a keyboardist and Bedford resident well regarded in jazz circles for his production work, and it featured contributions from a host of top stars, including the pianist Bob James and the saxophonist David Sanborn.

The New York Times

I for one would love to see Ian Bell rip through this tail, but we just checked out that collapse described by Som Bandyopadhyay in the 67th over and it was masterminded by Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq.

The Guardian - Sport

B9 Rethinking a Massacre Two authors who have studied the the 19th century Mountain Meadows massacre of 120 people say it was masterminded by the Mormon leader Brigham Young.

The New York Times

And yet, for a 63-year-old, even a dozen years could be a life sentence.Mr Ebbers had argued that, although a massive fraud took place, it was masterminded by Scott Sullivan, WorldCom's chief financial officer, and that he was unaware of it.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Yet also in the fifties Billy Graham said, "My own theory about Communism is that it is masterminded by Satan.

The New Yorker

"Otherwise, how could they have come through all these security checkpoints?" "It is masterminded by insiders," he said.

The New York Times

Tonight's "Arrow" (8 p.m. ET on The CW) will reveal exactly what "The Undertaking" is -- and we're guessing it's nothing good, since it's masterminded by the decidedly scary Malcolm Merlyn John Barrowmann).

Huffington Post

But it seems that the Safarov affair was masterminded by Mr Orban and Peter Szijjarto, the minister for external economic relations.

The Economist

Wiggins's Tour win was masterminded by his coaches Tim Kerrison and Shane Sutton.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was masterminded" to describe a complex plan or scheme, especially when highlighting the ingenuity or skill of the person who created it. For example, "The successful marketing campaign was masterminded by the new marketing director."

Common error

While "it was masterminded" is a useful phrase, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to use synonyms like "orchestrated" or "devised" to provide variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was masterminded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a particular plan, strategy, or scheme was carefully conceived and executed by someone. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples, showcasing how the phrase attributes the design and implementation of an event or project to a specific individual or group.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was masterminded" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for describing the skillful planning and execution of a strategy or scheme. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a passive construction, assigning responsibility for the plan to someone. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as wiki. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives such as "it was orchestrated" or "it was devised". By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately convey the planning and execution of complex events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was orchestrated

Emphasizes skillful and often secret coordination of events.

it was the brainchild of

Highlights the intellectual origin and initial conception by a particular person.

it was conceived by

Focuses on the initial planning and creation of the idea.

it was planned by

Highlights the strategic aspect of creating a scheme or design.

it was devised by

Emphasizes the inventiveness and ingenuity involved in creating the plan.

it was engineered by

Suggests technical skill and precision in the planning and execution.

it was arranged by

Focuses on the logistical and organizational aspects of the plan.

it was coordinated by

Highlights the collaborative effort and synchronization of different elements.

the plan was the work of

Indicates general authorship and responsibility for the plan.

the scheme was the creation of

Emphasizes the inventive aspect of the plan.

FAQs

What does "it was masterminded" mean?

The phrase "it was masterminded" means that a plan, scheme, or event was carefully and skillfully planned and executed by someone. It implies a level of expertise and strategic thinking.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was orchestrated", "it was conceived by", or "it was planned by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was masterminded by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was masterminded by" is grammatically correct. It is in the passive voice and indicates who created the plan or scheme.

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

You can use "it was masterminded" to describe how something complex was achieved, such as "The elaborate heist "it was masterminded" by a criminal mastermind with years of experience."