it was suggested

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was suggested" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when you want to express that someone made a suggestion or gave advice. Example sentence: "It was suggested that we should take a break from our work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was suggested that SPD1 might contribute its antioxidant activities against hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals.

Food Chemistry

"It was suggested by the N.Y.P.D".

The New York Times

It was suggested that Hamilton played a great game, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Now it was suggested that there was far closer arrangement.

The Guardian

Simply look at the girl's birth certificate, it was suggested.

The New York Times

Violet, it was suggested, seems a very Bowlesian color.

The New York Times - Style

Perhaps, it was suggested, he could just dress differently.

The New York Times

It was suggested that I leave my boarding school [laughs].

The Guardian - Music

It was suggested the investigations might be bigger than Watergate.

The New Yorker

MADONNA -- Actually, it was suggested to both of us.

The New York Times

"Once it was suggested, I changed my perspective a bit".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was suggested" when you want to convey that a suggestion or piece of advice was given, without necessarily highlighting who made the suggestion. This is useful when the source of the suggestion is less important than the suggestion itself.

Common error

While "it was suggested" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice constructions. In many cases, active voice can make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "it was suggested that we review the data", consider "the team suggested that we review the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was suggested" functions as a passive construction used to introduce a suggestion or recommendation. It deemphasizes the source of the suggestion, focusing instead on the suggestion itself. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts where this phrase is utilized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

7%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was suggested" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce a suggestion or recommendation in a relatively formal and neutral tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use across varied contexts, including news, science, and formal business writing. The phrase deemphasizes the source of the suggestion, placing focus on the suggestion itself. When aiming for a more direct or active voice, alternatives like "someone suggested" or restructuring the sentence might be preferable. However, "it was suggested" remains a valuable and versatile tool for conveying ideas in many writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was proposed

Replaces "suggested" with "proposed", implying a more formal offering of an idea.

it was recommended

Uses "recommended" instead of "suggested", indicating a stronger endorsement.

it was advised

Employs "advised", suggesting guidance from someone with expertise.

it was hinted

Replaces "suggested" with "hinted", implying a subtle or indirect suggestion.

it was implied

Uses "implied", which suggests the suggestion wasn't directly stated.

it was thought

Replaces "suggested" with "thought", indicating a consideration or idea.

it was put forward

A more formal way of saying something was suggested, often in a debate or discussion.

a suggestion was made

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the act of suggesting.

someone suggested

A more direct way of stating that a suggestion was made, specifying that "someone" did it.

the idea was floated

Uses "floated" to indicate an idea was tentatively suggested for consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was suggested" to introduce a suggestion or recommendation, such as "It was suggested that we implement a new strategy" or "It was suggested that I seek a second opinion".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was proposed", "it was recommended", or "a suggestion was made" depending on the context.

When should I use the active voice instead of "it was suggested"?

Use the active voice when you want to emphasize who made the suggestion. For example, instead of "it was suggested that the budget be increased", you could say "the manager suggested that the budget be increased".

Is "it was suggested to me" the same as "I was suggested"?

No, "it was suggested to me" means someone made a suggestion to you, while "I was suggested" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. You might say "I was suggested as a candidate" but the meaning is different.