it was put

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was put' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action that was done in the past. Example: It was put in the mail yesterday, so it should arrive soon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then it was put out.

The New Yorker

It was put on by assorted merchants.

The New Yorker

It was put up in 15 B.C.

Yale University

But it was put back.

The Guardian

It was put on presto.

The Guardian

It was put abroad by the owners.

The New York Times

It was put together by Jay Melosh and colleagues.

University of California, Berkeley

"It was put there accidentally," she said.

The Guardian

But none of it was put on.

The New York Times - Arts

It was put to air too quickly.

The Guardian

It was put in 15 years ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was put" when you want to emphasize the action performed on an object rather than the actor performing the action. This is particularly useful in technical writing or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "it was put" excessively, as too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice if the actor is known and relevant to strengthen the sentence's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was put" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has undergone an action. It's commonly used when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when the focus is on the recipient of the action, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was put" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe a past action where the actor is either unknown or less important than the action itself. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia, suggests its versatility and acceptability in various writing styles. While useful, remember to avoid overuse of passive voice for clearer and more impactful writing. Alternatives such as "it was placed" or transitioning to active voice can provide nuanced or stronger phrasing when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been placed

Uses "placed" instead of "put", implying a more deliberate action of setting something in a specific location before a certain point in time.

it was set

Replaces "put" with "set", suggesting the object was arranged or positioned in a particular way.

it was positioned

Similar to "set", but implies a more careful and intentional placement, often for a specific purpose.

it was installed

Suggests a more formal or technical placement, usually involving some kind of setup or fitting.

it was introduced

Indicates something new being brought into a system or context, rather than simply placed.

it was established

Emphasizes the creation or founding of something, rather than a simple placement.

it was assigned

Implies that something was designated or allocated to a specific person or purpose.

it was submitted

Suggests the act of presenting something for consideration or approval.

it was forwarded

Indicates the action of sending something onward to another person or place.

it was transmitted

Implies the sending of information or energy from one place to another, often electronically.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was put" to use active voice?

To use active voice, identify the actor and make them the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of "it was put on the table", you could say "she put it on the table".

What are some alternatives to "it was put" that maintain a passive voice?

Alternatives include "it was placed", "it was positioned", or "it was set", depending on the context.

Is "it was put" formal or informal?

"It was put" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider using a more precise verb if the situation calls for it.

When is it appropriate to use "it was put" instead of a more specific verb?

Use "it was put" when the specific action is less important than the fact that the action occurred, or when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. For example, "it was put into operation" is appropriate if you're focusing on the start of operations rather than who initiated them.