it was overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a challenge, obstacle, or difficulty has been successfully dealt with or conquered. Example: "Despite the many challenges faced during the project, it was overcome through teamwork and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I'm happy to be able to stand in front of you now and say it was overcome and I'm back to being who I am".

The New York Times

While they're at it, it's time for them to acknowledge another unpleasant part of baseball's past — and the way it was overcome.

The New Yorker

It was overcome by the invention of double-headed courts in the 19th century, which soon spread to most regional patterns, though some continue to resist it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Parthian rule was not firm over all Mesopotamia; thus, for example, during the reign of Artabanus III (12 38 ce) the Jewish brigands Asinaeus and Anilaeus set up a free state north of Ctesiphon that lasted 15 years before it was overcome by the Parthians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Engineers at Grundfos found vibration proved the biggest challenge, but following some radical thinking, it was overcome with the S-tube impeller, ensuring longer life for vital components.

World Pumps

However, snap loads in the diagonal ties attached to the north midspan cable band helped to loosen the band, and the frictional resistance between the band and the north suspension cable passing through it was overcome.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But it was overcoming a national identity crisis that was the real clincher.

The Guardian - Film

Similarly for him, it was overcoming his gender dysphoria which led him to explore his new-found attractions to men.

Vice

This is a writing flaw, but it is an interesting one, because you can see it being overcome by a performer on whom it places an enormous burden.

The New York Times

It can survive in up to about 20% ethanol before it is overcome, and for millennia we have made use of this ability in many fruitful ways.

The Guardian

It's overcome intense Android fragmentation to enable four-way video chat on nearly 250 devices.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was overcome" to clearly and concisely indicate that a specific obstacle, challenge, or problem has been successfully resolved or dealt with. This passive construction is suitable for formal and factual writing.

Common error

Avoid replacing "it was overcome" with an active voice construction when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. Using an active voice can shift the focus unnecessarily from the result to a potentially vague or less important actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was overcome" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a specific obstacle, difficulty, or challenge has been successfully addressed or resolved. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was overcome" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to indicate that a challenge or obstacle has been successfully resolved. According to Ludwig, this phrase is acceptable and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries, which suggests a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember to consider the context and choose an active voice when the actor is important or known. Alternative phrases like "it was defeated" or "it was surmounted" can be used for variety, but ensure they fit the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was defeated

Replaces "overcome" with a synonym that indicates a loss or failure for the subject.

it was conquered

Uses a stronger verb to imply complete domination or control after a struggle.

it was surmounted

Emphasizes the act of rising above or overcoming a difficulty.

it was subdued

Suggests a more forceful or controlled suppression of something.

it was prevailed over

Highlights the idea of winning or succeeding against opposition.

it was triumphed over

Implies a celebratory victory after overcoming a significant challenge.

it was gotten over

A more informal way of saying something was dealt with and moved on from.

it was bested

Suggests outdoing or surpassing something in a competitive sense.

it was mastered

Implies gaining complete skill or control over something difficult.

it was licked

An informal term suggesting that a problem or challenge has been easily overcome.

FAQs

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

Use "it was overcome" to express that a challenge or obstacle has been successfully dealt with. For example: "The initial reluctance was overcome by the project's success".

What's a more formal alternative to "it was overcome"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it was surmounted" or "it was conquered". These alternatives maintain the passive voice while sounding more elevated.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "it was overcome"?

The choice depends on the context. "It was overcome" (passive) is suitable when the actor is unknown or unimportant. If the actor is important, use active voice: "They overcame the obstacle".

What does "it was overcome" imply about the situation?

Using "it was overcome" implies that there was a significant challenge or obstacle that needed to be resolved. It suggests a successful resolution after a period of difficulty.