it was spilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was spilled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event where a liquid was accidentally poured out or lost from a container. Example: "The coffee was too hot, and before I could react, it was spilled all over the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It was spilled for the world of justice!

The New Yorker

Instead it was spilled, Ousmane Dembélé hit one follow-up attempt beaten out by the goalkeeper from close in but, when the ball finally fell to Gonzalo Castro, he finished.

The Guardian - Sport

US oceanographer Curtis Ebbesmeyer has tracked the story of the Lego since it was spilled.

BBC

"Whether we can find out if it was spilled would require a cargo sample to compare it with".

BBC

Griffiths was allowed time to line up a long-range shot and when it was spilled by Mark Brown, Commons - as he has been so often this season - was on hand to turn the rebound into the net.

BBC

Another interagency effort, estimating what happened to the oil once it was spilled, fared better, according to the report, but the government bungled the rollout of the resulting "oil budget" report.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Last week, Van Put fished the East Branch when it was spilling over the Pepacton Reservoir dam, and had excellent luck.

The New York Times - Sports

It was spilling over the reef now and the waves were coming from the open sea, with nothing to hold them back.

The New Yorker

It's spilled forward and the chance goes.

The Guardian - Sport

Water is sacred, and when it is spilled, there is usually a price to pay.

The New York Times

Things have become so caustic, and the sad thing is that it's spilled over now into the most precious right we have as Americans, the vote.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an accident involving liquid or granular substances, "it was spilled" accurately conveys the unintended release.

Common error

While "it was spilled" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider active voice constructions like "someone spilled it" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was spilled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a substance or object has been unintentionally released or discharged. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The emphasis is on the action having occurred rather than who or what caused the spillage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was spilled" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned passive construction used to describe the accidental release of a substance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Though not extremely common, it's prevalent in news, media, and general descriptive contexts. When writing, remember that active voice may be more impactful. Related phrases like "it was poured out" or "there was a spillage" can be used for variety. The usage examples show the phrase’s versatility in describing a range of spillage scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was a spillage

Nominalized form, focusing on the event of spillage itself.

it was poured out

A more active construction, focusing on the action of pouring.

it got leaked

Focuses on the unintended release of information rather than a physical substance.

it was divulged

Implies the revealing of secret or private information.

it was dropped

Suggests a sudden, unintentional release due to a fumble or accident.

it was overturned

Describes something that was physically upended, causing spillage.

it was overturned

Describes something that was physically upended, causing spillage.

it was upturned

Similar to 'overturned', indicating a physical reversal leading to spillage.

it was discharged

Suggests a controlled or forceful release, relevant in industrial contexts.

it was lost

Indicates that something was unintentionally released, through loss or oversight.

FAQs

What does "it was spilled" mean?

The phrase "it was spilled" means that something, usually a liquid or granular substance, was unintentionally released from its container or location.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was poured out", "it was dropped", or "there was a spillage" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was spilled" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was spilled" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding text and overall tone.

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

You can use "it was spilled" to describe an accidental release. For example: "The milk carton tipped over, and "it was spilled" all over the floor."