it was regained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was regained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been recovered or restored after being lost or taken away. Example: "After months of hard work, it was regained, and the team celebrated their success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Occupied by the British during the War of 1812, it was regained by the United States in 1815.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Showscan was my favorite," he said, "because it was regaining, and going beyond, what I'd done with Kubrick".

The New York Times

The government imported petrol from Brazil and claimed that it was regaining control of strikebound oil facilities.

The Economist

She said that Eritrea had attacked the retreating Ethiopian troops to "convince the international community that it was regaining the upper hand".

The New York Times

PARIS — UBS, the biggest Swiss bank, reported strong growth in its core wealth management business early this year, welcoming what it said Tuesday were signs that it was regaining the trust of clients who deserted it during the financial crisis.

The New York Times

UBS, the Swiss bank, on Tuesday reported strong growth this year in its core wealth management business, welcoming what it said were signs that it was regaining the trust of clients who deserted the bank during the financial crisis.

The New York Times

But he said Lockheed was confident enough that it was regaining control of the F-35 program, the Pentagon's largest, to start bearing more of the risk instead of leaving the federal government obligated to cover any cost increases.

The New York Times

It's regained some of its luster (though not with teens).

TechCrunch

But that image is its trump card, and if it's lost, can it be regained?

The Guardian - Opinion

It is fair to say, though, that it is regaining its place as one of Europe's thriving, intriguing capitals.

The New York Times - Travel

Now, however, it is regaining its popularity as a way of helping managers and directors to think about future uncertainties.At Microsoft, Brent Callinicos, the company's treasurer, keeps track of six or seven different scenarios at a time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was regained", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to and how it was lost or taken away originally. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound weak or unclear. Consider whether an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful, such as "they regained it" instead of "it was regained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was regained" functions as the passive voice of a transitive verb. According to Ludwig, this construction indicates that the subject (represented by "it") was the recipient of the action, rather than the performer. The phrase highlights the fact that something previously lost or taken away has been successfully recovered.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was regained" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe the recovery or restoration of something that was previously lost. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to consider the context and whether an active voice construction might be more impactful. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a generally neutral to slightly formal register. When using "it was regained", ensure clarity about what "it" refers to and consider alternatives like "it was recovered" or "it was restored" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was recovered

Emphasizes the act of finding something lost or stolen. Slightly more direct than "it was regained".

it was restored

Highlights the process of returning something to its original condition or state.

it was reclaimed

Suggests a more forceful or assertive act of taking something back that was previously lost or taken away.

it was won back

Implies a struggle or competition to regain something.

it was retrieved

Focuses on the act of obtaining something that was stored or hidden.

it was reacquired

Highlights the act of obtaining something again, often after a sale or transfer.

it was secured again

Emphasizes the act of making something safe or protected again.

it was brought back

A more general phrase indicating that something was returned.

it was gotten back

An informal way of saying something was recovered.

it was reestablished

Focuses on restoring something to a previous state of stability or authority.

FAQs

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

Use "it was regained" when describing the recovery or restoration of something previously lost or taken away. For example, "After a long battle, "it was regained" by the rightful owners".

What are some alternatives to "it was regained"?

You can use alternatives like "it was recovered", "it was restored", or "it was reclaimed" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was regained" formal or informal?

"It was regained" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal options include "it was gotten back" or "it was brought back".

What is the difference between "it was regained" and "it was recovered"?

While similar, "it was regained" implies a process of actively getting something back, whereas "it was recovered" often suggests a more passive finding or retrieval. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.