it was rescinded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was rescinded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision, offer, or agreement that has been officially revoked or canceled. Example: "The contract was initially signed, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it was rescinded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Officials would not say why it was rescinded.

The New York Times

It was rescinded too late, so that a horrible massacre resulted among the population there.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was rescinded by President Clinton and reinstated by President Bush.

The New York Times

This lasted from 1987 until 2009 when it was rescinded by Barack Obama.

The Guardian

Spanish immigration law had been changed that very day, though it was rescinded two weeks later.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was rescinded by President Bill Clinton in 1993, then reinstated by President George W. Bush in 2001.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The European Union had just announced that it was rescinding a trade-tariff agreement on textiles worth several hundred million dollars a year.

The New Yorker

American, the operating unit of the AMR Corporation, confirmed it was rescinding the increase that it began Wednesday, in at least the fourth attempt to raise fares since mid-April.

The New York Times

Facebook-owned WhatsApp made a hesitant and half-hearted debut on the BlackBerry platform three years ago, and announced at the tail-end of last month that it was rescinding that decision.

TechCrunch

Last month, the FDA announced it was rescinding three of four arsenic products that few knew were used in turkey production anyway.

Huffington Post

The proposal was first published in July in the Federal Register but reported Thursday in The Washington Post, which also reported that several aid groups were demanding that it be rescinded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was rescinded" when referring to a formal decision, law, or agreement that has been officially canceled or revoked. Ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it was rescinded" in situations where 'it' was merely postponed or suspended temporarily. Rescission implies a complete and often permanent revocation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was rescinded" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a previously active decision, law, or agreement was subjected to the action of being cancelled or revoked. Ludwig shows this is most commonly used in news and formal writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was rescinded" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction indicating that something has been officially canceled or revoked. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias and wiki sources, demonstrating a neutral to professional tone. While various alternatives exist, such as "it was revoked" or "it was annulled", "it was rescinded" is appropriate when precision regarding formal cancellation is needed. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what "it" refers to and consider the level of formality required by the context. Note that "it was rescinded" is a correct phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was revoked

Indicates a formal cancellation or annulment, often of a law, order, or privilege.

it was annulled

Suggests that something was declared void or nonexistent, as if it never happened.

it was repealed

Specifically refers to the revocation or cancellation of a law or act.

it was retracted

Implies a statement or offer was withdrawn, often due to being incorrect or misleading.

it was invalidated

Signifies that something was made void or without legal force.

it was overturned

Suggests a previous decision or ruling was reversed, often by a higher authority.

it was canceled

A general term indicating that something was stopped or called off.

it was withdrawn

Indicates that something was taken back or removed, either physically or figuratively.

it was reversed

Signals a change to an opposite direction or state.

it was abolished

Means that something was formally put an end to.

FAQs

What does "it was rescinded" mean?

The phrase "it was rescinded" means that something, such as a law, order, or agreement, has been officially canceled or revoked.

How to use "it was rescinded" in a sentence?

You can use "it was rescinded" to indicate that a previous decision or action has been reversed. For example: "The offer was initially accepted, but "it was rescinded" due to budget cuts."

What can I say instead of "it was rescinded"?

You can use alternatives like "it was revoked", "it was annulled", or "it was repealed" depending on the context.

Is "it was rescinded" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was rescinded" is generally considered neutral to formal. While appropriate for news and professional contexts, simpler terms might be preferred in very informal settings.