it was subpoenaed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was subpoenaed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in legal contexts when referring to a document or individual that has been formally summoned to appear in court or produce evidence. Example: "The witness confirmed that it was subpoenaed as part of the ongoing investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

An attorney for Flynn's company told the committee that it would not provide documents about the Middle Eastern nuclear project unless it was subpoenaed, according to the letter.

The Washington Post

The Newmont Mining Corporation, the world's largest gold producer, said it was subpoenaed in February by the Justice Department for documents related to a shareholder's accusation of bribery in Peru.

The New York Times

In addition to scrutiny of its role in potential espionage, the company has also been accused of violating U.S. sanctions laws: In 2016 it was subpoenaed by the Commerce and Treasury departments over possible violations of sanctions on the export or re-export of U.S. technology to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

The Washington Post

General Electric on Monday said it was subpoenaed by the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of regulators' investigation into finite-risk reinsurance products.

Forbes

Hewlett-Packard says it was subpoenaed by the U.S. Attorney's Office over a shareholder vote of its proposed $19 billion takeover of Compaq Computer, indicating the government has opened a criminal investigation.

Forbes

Shares of the U.S. auto giant fell after the company said it was subpoenaed by the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of an investigation into its pension obligations and business dealings with bankrupt Delphi.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Zero-Knowledge assigns pseudonyms using the same technology, and so the company itself can't link the pseudonyms to individual users; if it is subpoenaed it can only turn over a list of its customers, who can hope for anonymity in numbers.

The New York Times - Magazine

But what if it's subpoenaed?

MIT Technology Review

Mr. Gillin said the information will be kept in case it is subpoenaed in a criminal investigation.

The New York Times - Tech

Can it be subpoenaed?

Forbes

But it was then that he was subpoenaed before a grand jury in New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was subpoenaed" when you want to emphasize that a formal legal demand was made for documents or testimony. This phrasing is common in legal and news reporting.

Common error

Avoid using "it was subpoenaed" when referring to informal requests for information. A subpoena is a legal order, so reserve this phrase for situations involving official legal proceedings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was subpoenaed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (e.g., a document, a recording) was the recipient of a subpoena. Ludwig's examples showcase it in legal and investigative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was subpoenaed" is a phrase used to convey that a formal legal request, or subpoena, has been issued for something, typically documents or testimony. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly appears in neutral contexts such as news reporting and formal legal documents. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the legal nature of the request. While "it was subpoenaed" is frequently used in media and formal settings, remember to reserve it for scenarios where a legal order is involved. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subpoena was issued for it

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the issuance of the subpoena.

it received a subpoena

Focuses on the receipt of the subpoena rather than the action taken against it.

a legal summons was served on it

Uses more formal legal terminology to describe the action.

it was called to testify

Specifies the purpose of the subpoena as related to testimony.

it was compelled to produce documents

Highlights the requirement to produce documents as a result of the subpoena.

it was ordered to appear in court

Focuses on the mandatory appearance in court.

it faced a subpoena

Emphasizes the facing or dealing with a subpoena.

it was subject to a subpoena

Highlights the state of being subject to a subpoena.

a subpoena was directed at it

Changes the wording to direct emphasis.

it was served with a subpoena

Specifies the method by which the subpoena was received.

FAQs

How is "it was subpoenaed" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "it was subpoenaed" indicates that a formal legal demand has been issued, requiring the production of documents or testimony. For example: "The video was only recently viewed by jail officials, after "it was subpoenaed" during a federal grand jury investigation."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was subpoenaed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "a subpoena was issued", "it received a subpoena", or "it was summoned".

Is it correct to say "it was subpoenaed" in both formal and informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "it was subpoenaed" is best suited for formal or neutral contexts, such as legal documents or news reports. Informal situations may benefit from simpler phrasing.

What's the difference between "it was subpoenaed" and "it was requested"?

"It was subpoenaed" implies a legal obligation to comply with a request, while "it was requested" suggests a voluntary action. Subpoenas carry legal weight and consequences for non-compliance.