it was shredded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was shredded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been torn or cut into small pieces, often referring to paper or food. Example: "After the documents were no longer needed, it was shredded to protect sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The asteroid is believed to be the remnants of a small, watery planet that was knocked out of its original orbit and pulled so close to its sun that it was shredded in the process.

Independent

At the other it was shredded, and hey presto.

The Guardian - Books

The crab cake was billed as having lump crab; it was shredded.

The New York Times

Now it's political trust that needs to be repaired, after it was shredded by spin and Iraq.

The Guardian - Opinion

Earl is Richard Browne's racing leg, the blade that he straps into the place of his right leg, amputated after it was shredded when he fell through a window back home in Mississippi.

Independent

It was shredded potatoes stir-fried in hot oil, from which they emerged as slick, firm, noodle-like strands: stand-ins, apparently, for daikon radish in a more traditional treatment.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

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Vice

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Vice

It is shredded, rattled and ripped.

The New York Times - Sports

The commission will now be able to carry out surprise inspections, allowing it to gather evidence before it is shredded.

The Economist

Like Henderson the Rain King, we require "large and real" emotions, plus every scrap of evidence before it's shredded.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was shredded", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "The document was no longer needed, so it was shredded".

Common error

Avoid using "it was shredded" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or technical term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "it was fragmented" or "it was reduced to particulate matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was shredded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject, represented by "it", underwent the action of being shredded. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is commonly used to describe the state of something after it has been processed into small pieces.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was shredded" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe something that has been torn or cut into small pieces. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose more precise language when necessary. Related phrases include "it was torn apart" and "it was ripped to shreds". When using "it was shredded", ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was torn apart

Focuses on the action of tearing something into pieces, implying a more violent separation.

it was ripped to shreds

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction, highlighting the smallness of the resulting pieces.

it was fragmented

Focuses on the creation of separate, individual pieces from a whole.

it was reduced to fragments

Highlights the end result of breaking something down into smaller, disconnected parts.

it was ground up

Implies a mechanical process of breaking something down into smaller particles.

it was minced

Specifically refers to the action of cutting food into very small pieces.

it was pulverized

Suggests a more forceful and complete disintegration into a powder or dust.

it was macerated

Suggests softening or breaking down by soaking or steeping.

it was diced

Describes cutting something into small cubes, often in cooking.

it was chipped

Describes the removal of small pieces from a larger object.

FAQs

What does "it was shredded" mean?

The phrase "it was shredded" means something has been torn or cut into small pieces, often referring to paper, documents, or food. It implies a destructive process that reduces something to small fragments.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was torn apart", "it was ripped to shreds", or "it was fragmented" depending on the context.

Is "it was shredded" past tense?

Yes, "it was shredded" is in the past passive tense. It indicates that something (it) underwent the action of being shredded in the past.

How do I use "it was shredded" in a sentence?

You can use "it was shredded" to describe a past action where something was torn or cut into small pieces. For example: "The confidential document was shredded to protect sensitive information", or "After cooking, the chicken was shredded for tacos".