it was obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was obtained' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe how something was acquired or obtained. You can use it in a sentence when you want to clarify how something came into someone's possession or how an achievement was accomplished. Example: The necessary permits for the project were obtained after months of negotiations with the local authorities.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Isn't that justification enough, both for its publication and the way it was obtained?

The Guardian

Nor did he say whether it was obtained under duress.

The New York Times

It was obtained by the Daily Mail and broadcast by multiple news organisations, including the Guardian.

The Guardian

Before accepting this result at face value, let's consider how it was obtained.

The Guardian - Arts

Paris Match never revealed who took the photograph or how it was obtained, but it has not been reproduced since.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Goltzer has argued that the DNA evidence was inadmissible because it was obtained without his client's knowledge or consent.

The New York Times

It was obtained from an official at one of the business groups that signed it.

The New York Times

And the auction house is not saying who is selling it, or how it was obtained.

The New York Times

It was obtained in 1973.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

It was obtained via in situ oxidation.

Journal of Molecular Structure

It was obtained in 98% (hygroscopic).

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was obtained", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what obtained the item or information. Clarity is key for avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was obtained" without clearly specifying the subject that did the obtaining. For example, instead of "It was obtained", specify "The data was obtained by the research team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was obtained" primarily functions as part of a passive construction. Ludwig shows this usage across diverse sentences, describing how something came into possession or was achieved. It indicates the result of an action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was obtained" is a frequently used passive construction that describes how something was acquired. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for a variety of contexts. The primary contexts are science and news media sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity, make sure to specify who or what obtained the item. Alternatives include "it was acquired" and "it was received", which provide subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was acquired

Replaces "obtained" with "acquired", implying a more formal or deliberate process of gaining possession.

it was received

Substitutes "obtained" with "received", focusing on the act of getting something, potentially passively.

it was secured

Replaces "obtained" with "secured", highlighting the effort or competition involved in getting something.

it was attained

Substitutes "obtained" with "attained", suggesting a higher level of achievement or effort in acquiring something.

it was procured

Replaces "obtained" with "procured", implying a formal or official method of acquisition.

it was derived

Substitutes "obtained" with "derived", often used when something is extracted or developed from a source.

it was accessed

Replaces "obtained" with "accessed", focusing on the act of gaining entry or use of something, especially information.

it was extracted

Substitutes "obtained" with "extracted", implying that something was taken out from something else.

it was harvested

Replaces "obtained" with "harvested", suggesting a gathering or collection of resources, similar to agricultural context.

it was collected

Substitutes "obtained" with "collected", which emphasizes the act of gathering items together.

FAQs

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

Use "it was obtained" to describe how something was acquired or achieved. For example, "The information was obtained through a survey" or "The award was obtained after years of dedication".

What phrases can I use instead of "it was obtained"?

You can use alternatives like "it was acquired", "it was received", or "it was secured" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it was obtained by" or "it was obtained from"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "It was obtained by" indicates who or what did the obtaining, while "it was obtained from" indicates the source from which it was acquired.

What's the difference between "it was obtained" and "it was achieved"?

"It was obtained" generally refers to acquiring something, whereas "it was achieved" implies that something was accomplished through effort or skill. For instance, a result might be achieved, while data might be obtained.