it was prized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was prized" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was highly valued or esteemed in the past. Example: "The ancient artifact was prized for its historical significance and craftsmanship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Its rich chocolate fur looked luxuriant and it was easy to see why it was prized in the middle ages as a trimming for robes of state.

The Guardian

An astounding 1865 photograph here shows a Peruvian mountain entirely made of sea-bird droppings; workers shoveled this guano into boats heading north, where it was prized as fertilizer.

The New York Times - Arts

Needless to say, Mr. Storm and Mr. Fishman are not eager for Intelligex to be characterized as a business-to-business dot-com, a label now derided as much as it was prized mere months ago.

The New York Times

Known today as "flake white", it was prized by Old Masters such as Rembrandt because of the steadfastness of its colour and the beautiful contrasts it would bring to their oil portraits.

BBC

As a pigment, it was prized by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters, including van Gogh.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It will always hold its value as it's prized waterfront, which is almost impossible to find nowadays," he said.

The New York Times

Now, due in no small part to his efforts, it is prized for its raw beauty and its quirks.

The New York Times - Arts

It is prized as a source of jobs and as a source of tax revenue.

The New York Times

However implausible that expectation of normality, it is prized as precious proof of "inclusion" and entitlement.

The Guardian

The more defiant something is of the instinctive, the typical, and the sufficient, the more highly it is prized.

The New Yorker

It is prized as a destination for fishing, diving, bushwalking and birdspotting as well as Aboriginal rock art.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was prized" to indicate that something was highly valued or esteemed in the past, particularly for specific qualities or uses. For example, "The spice was prized for its medicinal properties."

Common error

Avoid using "it was prized" in modern contexts where a more direct or common term like "valued" or "appreciated" would be more appropriate. Reserve "it was prized" for historical or specialized contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was prized" functions as a passive construction indicating that something received high value or importance. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in contexts where historical or intrinsic worth is being described.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was prized" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to convey that something was highly valued or esteemed in the past. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is primarily found in news and media contexts and has a neutral to formal register. While correct, consider whether a more common alternative like ""it was valued"" is more appropriate for contemporary settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was valued

Direct synonym, replacing "prized" with a more common term for valuation.

it was cherished

"Cherished" implies a deeper emotional connection than "prized".

it was esteemed

"Esteemed" suggests respect and admiration, a slightly more formal tone.

it was highly regarded

More verbose but expresses a similar sentiment of positive opinion.

it was much admired

"Admired" highlights the positive feeling towards the subject.

it was well thought of

Similar to "highly regarded" but with a less formal tone.

it was held in high esteem

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing high regard.

it was considered precious

Focuses on the rarity and value of the item.

it was in demand

Focuses on the high level of request for the item.

it was sought after

Similar to "in demand" indicating active pursuit of the item.

FAQs

What does "it was prized" mean?

The phrase "it was prized" means that something was highly valued, esteemed, or considered to be of great worth during a particular time or in a specific context. You can use alternatives like "it was valued" or "it was cherished".

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

You can use "it was prized" to describe something that held significant value in the past. For example, "In the Middle Ages, falconry was prized by the nobility as a symbol of status".

What are some alternatives to "it was prized"?

Some alternatives include "it was valued", "it was esteemed", "it was cherished", or "it was highly regarded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was prized" formal or informal?

"It was prized" has a slightly formal or historical tone. While grammatically correct, it might sound unusual in very casual conversation. Using a more common phrase such as "it was valued" might be preferable in informal settings.