it was refined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was refined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been improved, polished, or made more sophisticated over time. Example: "The recipe was initially simple, but after several iterations, it was refined to perfection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

For each refinement, in addition to calculating the FSC between the refined model and the map it was refined against (the FSCwork, red curves in Figure S3), we also calculated a cross-validated FSC between the refined model and the other half map (the FSCtest curve green in Figure S3).

Cell

(A ) FSC curves of the refined atomic model versus the map it was refined against (in black); of a model refined in the first of the two independently refined half-maps versus that same map (in red); and of a model refined in the first of the two independent half-maps versus the second half-map (in green).

eLife

Then it was refined by Tony Rice, whose guitar belonged to White.

The New Yorker

The next year it was refined and reintroduced as the Frisbee.

The New York Times

It was refined on Beyoncé, the album on which she finally abandoned the last vestiges of conservatism.

The Guardian - Music

Iron, found almost everywhere in Africa, was considered more valuable if it was refined and forged into distinct shapes.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Sanofi-Aventis said it was refining its strategy to cope with new regulatory and economic constraints.

The New York Times

In a statement today News Corp said it was "refining" its international MySpace business, focusing on offices in London, Berlin and Sydney.

The Guardian - Tech

(The Domino Sugar Factory was built in 1856 and by 1870 it was refining more than half of the sugar in the United States).

Huffington Post

It's refined and elegant.

The New York Times

It is refined, stately, and elegant.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was refined" when you want to emphasize that something has been improved through a careful and iterative process.

Common error

Avoid using "it was refined" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler terms like "improved" or "better" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was refined" functions as a passive construction indicating that something has undergone a process of improvement or purification. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, this phrase often appears in contexts where a method, model, or substance has been enhanced through careful adjustments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was refined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating that something has undergone a process of improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in scientific, news-related and technical contexts. It's used to convey that something has been improved, often through a detailed and iterative approach. While versatile, it is most appropriate in neutral to formal settings. Remember to avoid overuse in casual conversations where simpler terms like "improved" might be more fitting. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "it was refined" to convey that improvements have been made with precision and care.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it underwent refinement

Emphasizes the process of improving something.

it was improved

A more general term for making something better.

it was enhanced

Suggests an increase in quality or desirability.

it was perfected

Implies achieving the highest possible standard.

it was polished

Focuses on removing imperfections and making something smooth and elegant.

it was fine-tuned

Implies making small adjustments to optimize performance.

it was upgraded

Suggests replacing something with a newer or better version.

it was purified

Suggests removing contaminants and making something clean and pure.

it was amended

Indicates making small changes or corrections.

it was distilled

Focuses on extracting the essential elements and removing impurities.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it was refined" is typically used to indicate that something has been improved or perfected through a process of careful adjustment. For example, "The process was initially inefficient, but "it was refined" over time to maximize output."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it was improved", "it was enhanced", or "it was perfected".

When is it appropriate to use "it was refined"?

Use "it was refined" when you want to emphasize the process of improvement, often involving careful adjustments or iterations. It's suitable for formal and technical contexts, where precision and detail are important.

Is there a difference between "it was refined" and "it was improved"?

"It was refined" suggests a more delicate and precise improvement process, while "it was improved" is a broader term for making something better without necessarily implying a detailed or iterative process.