it was popularized

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was popularized" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you wish to say that something has become popular. Example: The phrase "YOLO" was popularized by young people on social media.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The term was first used in a scientific context by Charles Lyell in the third edition (1851) of his book Elements of Geology in relation to missing parts of the geological column, but it was popularized in its present meaning by its appearance on page xi of his book Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man of 1863.

Wikipedia

The phrase has its roots in hip-hop culture; it was popularized by hip-hop artists like Cam'ron, Lil Wayne and Kanye West.

The New York Times - Sports

It was popularized in the 1990s by its appearance on the Association for the Study of Higher Education ASHEE) report (Bonwell & Eison 1991).

Smart Learning Environments

The theory of the picturesque received its fullest treatment in the late eighteenth century when it was popularized in the writings of William Gilpin, Uvedale Price, and Richard Payne Knight.

SEP

Although this is a popular science term rather than a truly technical one - it was popularized by the BBC awhile back - it's rather useful as a way of describing utterly catastrophic periods of volcanism, either those emitted over an extremely long time period or short, sharp paroxysms that unleash city-sized amounts of volcanic debris on the wider world.

Forbes

It was popularized in the 1920s by pilots; 'bucking a headwind' cuts down on air speed".

The New York Times - Magazine

It was popularized by brothers Carlos and Hélio Gracie, who began a jujitsu school in Rio de Janeiro in 1925.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since 1647, a call has meant a judgment, and it was popularized after the 1860's by baseball.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was popularized by Tim O'Reilly and Dale Dougherty at the O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 Conference in late 2004, though it was coined by Darcy DiNucci in 1999.

Physica Medica

About 1530 the cone-shaped hoop was introduced into France, where it was popularized by the queen and called a vertugade.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was popularized by Salesforce.com, which went public in 2004, but more recently it has been embraced by the software giants SAP and Microsoft.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was popularized", ensure that you clearly identify who or what popularized the subject and provide context to illustrate the scope and impact of its increased popularity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was popularized" without specifying by whom or how. Provide specific examples or details to support the claim of increased popularity. For example, instead of saying "the trend was popularized", specify "the trend was popularized by social media influencers on Instagram."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was popularized" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject received increased attention or adoption through external means. It emphasizes the process by which something gained popularity, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was popularized" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the process of something gaining popularity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in written English to indicate that an idea, trend, or product has become widely known or adopted. The analysis shows a high prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles, suggesting its suitability for formal and informative writing. Be sure to provide clear context and specify who or what contributed to the popularization for maximum clarity. Remember, while "it was popularized" is correct, alternatives such as "it gained traction" or "it became well-known" can add nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it achieved popularity

Directly states that something became popular.

it became well-known

Highlights increased familiarity or recognition.

it became widespread

Stresses broad distribution and common use.

it gained traction

Focuses on acceptance and spread, like gaining momentum.

it was widely adopted

Highlights the active acceptance and implementation by many.

it rose to prominence

Emphasizes a rise in importance and visibility.

it entered the mainstream

Signals integration into common culture and thought.

it caught on

Implies rapid adoption and fashionable use.

it took off

Suggests a rapid and significant increase in popularity or usage.

it found favor

Implies that it became successful and well regarded.

FAQs

How to use "it was popularized" in a sentence?

Use "it was popularized" to indicate that something became widely known or adopted. For example: "The concept of mindfulness "it was popularized" by meditation apps."

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

You can use alternatives like "it became well-known", "it gained traction", or "it rose to prominence" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it has been popularized"?

Yes, "it has been popularized" is grammatically correct and uses the present perfect tense, indicating that something has become popular up to the present time. For example: "The use of reusable water bottles "it has been popularized" in recent years due to environmental awareness."

What's the difference between "it was popularized" and "it became popular"?

"It was popularized" implies an active process of making something popular, often by a specific person or group. "It became popular" simply states that something gained popularity without specifying how.