it was shaped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was shaped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process or result of forming something into a particular shape or form in the past. Example: "The sculpture was impressive, as it was shaped by the artist's skilled hands over many months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The maps, photographs and artifacts explore the emergence of Richmond County Staten Islandd's formal municipal designation) in its own right, and how it was shaped by the history of New York.

The New York Times

For the lamp, the light it was shaped to carry is its gift.

Huffington Post

We could say that for every hand, the heart it was shaped to carry is its gift.

Huffington Post

The narrative's remarkable construction, through which its ambitions "to talk through the way it was shaped" are so brilliantly realised, was – when it first emerged – subjected to precisely the reductive reading against which it militates.

The Guardian - Books

It was shaped like a truncated top and its floor was a continuous spiral around an overweening core of empty vertical space.

The New Yorker

It was shaped like an inverted triangle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was shaped like a Christmas tree.

The New Yorker

One official said it was shaped like a walking cane.

The New York Times

Still fiberglass, it was shaped after the Mako Shark II show car.

The New York Times

Almost every bit of it was shaped by some lobbyist taking care of some special interest.

The New York Times

But though this landscape is entrancing, much of it was shaped by the hand of man.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, use "it was shaped" to indicate influences or factors that contributed to its development. For example, "The political landscape was shaped by economic policies."

Common error

Avoid using "it was shaped" when a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of saying "The clay it was shaped into a bowl", say "The clay was formed into a bowl."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was shaped" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something underwent a process of formation or influence. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing both physical objects and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Huffington Post

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was shaped" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe the formation or influence on something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase sees frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries. It's particularly useful for conveying how various factors contributed to the development of a subject. While "it was shaped" is a generally formal phrase, it can appear in more casual contexts. Related options like "it was formed" and "it was influenced" provide subtle nuances for different situations. Remember to employ "it was shaped" when emphasizing the process that brought something into its current form, and avoid overuse where a more direct phrasing would be clearer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was formed

Focuses on the act of being brought into existence or a specific form.

it was molded

Emphasizes the process of being given a particular shape, often suggesting pliability.

it was influenced

Highlights the impact of external factors on its development or form.

it was crafted

Suggests skillful or artistic creation, focusing on the care taken in forming it.

it was designed

Implies a deliberate plan or intention behind its creation and form.

it was constructed

Focuses on the process of building or assembling something into its final shape.

it was sculpted

Emphasizes a subtractive process where material is removed to achieve the desired shape.

it was fashioned

Highlights the act of creating something with skill and style.

it was structured

Focuses on the arrangement and organization of its parts.

it was configured

Implies a specific arrangement of elements or components.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was shaped" to describe how something was formed or influenced. For example, "The river valley "it was shaped" by glaciers over thousands of years."

What's the difference between "it was shaped" and "it was formed"?

"It was shaped" implies a more deliberate process of giving something a particular form, while "it was formed" simply indicates that something came into being in a certain shape.

What are some alternatives to using "it was shaped"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was molded", "it was influenced", or "it was crafted" as alternatives to "it was shaped".

Is "it was shaped by" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""it was shaped" by" is grammatically correct and often used to indicate the factors that influenced the form or development of something. For example, "The company's strategy "it was shaped" by market trends."