it was phoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was phoned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a phone call was made to someone or about something in the past. Example: "The information was urgent, so it was phoned to the manager immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He felt the film showed Brooks had "finally lost his comic mojo" concluding "his films used to have a wonderfully restless, neurotic energy, but How Do You Know feels like it was phoned in from someone resting uncomfortably on his laurels".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was phone hacking and bribery that led to its collapse, not a lack of funds.

Huffington Post

"It was phone guerrilla warfare.

The New York Times

So this time it was phones.

The New York Times

"It was phone thefts we were worried about initially.

The Guardian

"It's phone calls.

The New York Times

"It's video conferencing, texting, it's I.M., it's phone calling".

The New York Times - Tech

"If, on the other hand, it's phone sex, we wouldn't pay that".

The New York Times

Otherwise it's phone to phone.

TechCrunch

And nobody is phoning it in.

Huffington Post

I think it was a phone call.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was phoned" when you want to passively indicate that a phone call was made to convey information, especially when the actor is unimportant or unknown. For clarity, specify the recipient of the call: "The instructions were urgent, so it was phoned to the supervisor."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice, as it can make your writing sound indirect and vague. Instead of "it was phoned", consider using active voice: "She phoned the results immediately" for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was phoned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a phone call was made. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes an action (phoning) performed on a subject, with the emphasis on the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was phoned" is a grammatically sound but infrequently used construction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness but also hints at its limited presence in common discourse. Its primary function is to passively convey that a phone call was made, often to relay information. While acceptable, writers should consider using active voice for a more direct style. The phrase appears mostly in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. If aiming for greater clarity, specifying the recipient or using active voice is advisable. Alternatives such as "it was called" or restructuring the sentence can offer more impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was called in

Replaces "phoned" with "called", implying a summons or request for assistance.

it was telephoned

Uses a more formal synonym for "phoned", indicating a telephone call was made.

a phone call was made

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the action of making a phone call.

it was communicated by phone

Highlights the method of communication as being via telephone.

information was relayed via phone

Focuses on the transfer of information using a telephone.

they phoned it in

Changes the subject and voice, implying a lack of effort or enthusiasm.

it was notified by phone

Focuses on the act of notifying someone through a phone call.

the message was phoned

Emphasizes that the message was conveyed over the phone.

a call was placed

Rephrases to indicate a phone call was initiated.

it was patched through

Indicates a connection was established via phone, often for communication purposes.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was phoned" to sound more active?

To make the sentence more active, you can specify who made the call, such as "She phoned the information in" or "He called to report it". These alternatives provide a clearer and more direct expression.

What are some synonyms for "it was phoned"?

Alternatives include "it was called", "a phone call was made", or "it was telephoned", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "it was phoned" formal or informal?

"It was phoned" tends to be neutral in tone. For a more formal tone, you might use "it was telephoned". For an informal tone, you could rephrase using a more direct construction like "someone called".

In what contexts is "it was phoned" most appropriate?

The phrase "it was phoned" is suitable when the action of making a phone call is important, but the person who made the call is not as significant. It can be used in situations where relaying information or reporting something is the focus.