it was prescribed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was prescribed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a medication or treatment that has been recommended by a healthcare professional. Example: "After my examination, the doctor informed me that it was prescribed to help manage my symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In our study, etanercept was the most prescribed TNF drug, and it was prescribed by all 58 medium-volume to high-volume prescribers.

BMJ Open

The conclusion was drawn from the experiments indicated that a drug would show its therapeutic effect when it was prescribed to patients with the correct indications, while it might produce deleterious effects in individuals as result of incorrect indications [ 27].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

They then drew up a table listing each species, the symptoms for which it was prescribed, and hence its probable pharmacological function.

The Economist

"It turns you into a zombie," says one AIDS patient for whom it was prescribed.

The Economist

The lawyer said he did not know what the drug was or what it was prescribed to treat.

The New York Times

It was prescribed by doctors for years as a painkiller, and even Queen Victoria took it as an analgesic.

The New York Times

Capps says that she became addicted to the drug after it was prescribed for her scoliosis pain.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was prescribed again last fall when I developed debilitating back and leg pain caused by a pinched nerve in my back.

The New York Times

The drug swiftly became a mental and emotional dependency that Hairup regarded as legitimate because it was prescribed by doctors and did not conflict with her religion.

The Guardian

They look at that like that's normal and OK because it was prescribed but the prescriptions weren't for each other," she said.

The Guardian

It would in fact have been utterly valueless, except that it was prescribed for the payment of certain types of taxes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was prescribed", ensure that the context clearly indicates who did the prescribing, usually a doctor or other healthcare professional. This adds clarity and authority to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was prescribed" in situations where the actor is unclear or unimportant. If the prescribing physician is known and relevant, using the active voice (e.g., "the doctor prescribed it") can make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was prescribed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (prescribing) was performed on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It highlights the receipt of a recommendation, often medical, as shown in examples such as "It was prescribed by doctors for years as a painkiller."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

48%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was prescribed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction, particularly in contexts related to medicine and healthcare. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. It serves to communicate that a treatment or medication has been officially recommended by a healthcare professional. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying who did the prescribing when relevant. Common alternatives include "it was recommended" or "it was ordered", but the best choice depends on the specific context. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, it maintains a neutral to professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was recommended

Emphasizes advice or suggestion, which is closely aligned with the concept of a prescription.

it was advised

Highlights the aspect of offering counsel or guidance, akin to a medical professional's advice.

it was indicated

Focuses on suggesting the necessity or suitability of something, akin to a medical indication for a treatment.

it was ordered

Focuses on the action of giving a command or instruction, rather than specifically a medical recommendation.

it was directed

Suggests an official instruction or guidance, similar to a doctor's direction.

it was mandated

Highlights the authoritative or compulsory nature of the recommendation, often by regulation or policy.

it was stipulated

Indicates a condition or requirement that was specified, which could apply to medical treatments.

it was decreed

Implies a formal and authoritative order, akin to an official medical guideline or requirement.

it was assigned

Emphasizes the act of allocating or designating something, aligning with the idea of a treatment plan being assigned.

it was designated

Similar to "it was assigned", focusing on the act of officially choosing or indicating a treatment.

FAQs

How is "it was prescribed" used in a sentence?

The phrase "it was prescribed" is used to indicate that something, typically medication or treatment, was officially recommended by a healthcare professional. For instance, "The medication "it was prescribed" to alleviate her symptoms."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was prescribed"?

Instead of "it was prescribed", you can use phrases like "it was recommended", "it was ordered", or "it was advised", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was prescribed to me"?

While grammatically correct, "it was prescribed to me" can sound slightly redundant. A more concise and common way is to say "I was prescribed" followed by the medication or treatment.

What is the difference between "it was prescribed" and "it is prescribed"?

"It was prescribed" refers to a past action, meaning something was recommended in the past. "It is prescribed" indicates a current practice or general rule. For example, "In this hospital, rest "it is prescribed" for patients with minor injuries."