it was not given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was not given" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was not provided or offered in a specific context. Example: "The information was crucial for the project, but unfortunately, it was not given to us in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The causal agent of CCPP was first isolated in 1976 [ 2], but it was not given its species name until 1993: M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) [ 3].

BMC Veterinary Research

But it was not, given that its Web site was not up to speed.

The New York Times

The court did say that Russia violated the company's right to a fair trial (because it was not given enough time to prepare its defence), that some penalties were imposed wrongly and that the enforcement of the law was disproportionate.

The Economist

It was not given to news organizations in advance of its release, but several media reporters who were provided embargoed copies relayed some conclusions to representatives of these organizations, and the response was often critical.

The New York Times

"It was not given.

Independent

It was not given to me.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not given to the Tuskegee subjects unless they asked for it.

The Economist

They imply that it was not given a chance to succeed.

The New York Times

It was not given sovereignty over the West Bank and Gaza.

The New York Times

"It was not given to the school board to own and sell," Mr. Edelman said.

The New York Times

It was not given in response to Mr. Breivik's letter, the spokeswoman said, according to The Associated Press.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was not given", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple passive constructions using "it was not given" within a single sentence. Break down complex sentences for better readability and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not given" functions as a passive construction. It indicates that something was withheld, not provided, or not granted. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across various contexts demonstrating this usage, confirming its role in indicating a lack of provision or permission.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

16%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was not given" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to express a lack of provision, granting, or offering. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, Wiki and Encyclopedias. While versatile, it's essential to maintain clarity in writing by ensuring the antecedent of "it" is easily identifiable. Ludwig AI indicates that while the phrase is usable in written English, it's beneficial to be aware of possible misinterpretations and to rewrite if necessary. Alternatives such as "it wasn't granted" or "it wasn't provided" may offer clearer or more direct communication in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't granted

Emphasizes the refusal or withholding of permission or authorization.

it wasn't provided

Focuses on the absence of something being supplied or furnished.

it wasn't supplied

Highlights the lack of providing something needed or required.

it wasn't allocated

Stresses that resources or items were not assigned or distributed.

it wasn't afforded

Indicates that an opportunity or privilege was not given.

it wasn't presented

Highlights the absence of something being shown or offered.

it wasn't extended

Emphasizes that something was not prolonged or continued.

it wasn't bequeathed

Focuses on the absence of something being passed down as an inheritance.

it was withheld

Implies that something was intentionally kept back or suppressed.

it wasn't considered

Highlights the absence of something being taken into account or regarded.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was not given" to sound more active?

Consider using an active voice construction such as "they did not give it" or "we were not given it" for a more direct and engaging tone.

What does "it was not given" imply in a formal context?

In formal settings, "it was not given" suggests a lack of provision, authorization, or consideration. It implies that something expected or requested was intentionally or unintentionally withheld. Consider alternatives like "it wasn't granted".

Is there a difference between "it was not given" and "it wasn't given"?

The contraction "it wasn't given" is simply a more informal version of "it was not given". Both convey the same meaning, but the uncontracted form is generally preferred in formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "it was not given" instead of a more direct statement?

Use "it was not given" when you want to emphasize the absence of something without directly assigning blame or responsibility. It's useful in situations where focusing on the lack of provision is more important than who failed to provide it. Alternatives are phrases like "it was withheld" or "it was not afforded".