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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it was survived
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it was survived" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "survived" is a transitive verb that requires a subject to perform the action, not to be acted upon in this way. Example: "After the storm, it was the old oak tree that survived the harsh conditions."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
It was survived only through a takeover by Trevor Hemmings, a locally-born septuagenarian businessman.
News & Media
Somehow Puccini's marriage, such as it was, survived, and he completed the score for the premiere, in December 1910.
News & Media
However Bosie and Wilde's love, for so it was, survived trial, tragedy and disgrace, until Wilde's death in France in 1900.
News & Media
It was survived by two other individuals, both males.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
It was surviving, or trying to.
News & Media
He compares the cat to Afghanistan: It was surviving before I came; it will survive after I leave.
News & Media
It is survived by its main competitor, Mexican cane sugar.
News & Media
It is survived by its neater, slicker, more junior MP3 descendant.
News & Media
It is survived by the problem".
News & Media
"Am I surprised it's survived?
News & Media
It's survived a lot of drama, most of it drummed up.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Prefer active voice constructions such as "it survived" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Passive voice can be cumbersome and less direct.
Common error
Avoid using the passive voice with intransitive verbs like "survive". "Survive" typically requires an active subject performing the action. Instead of saying "it was survived", use "it survived".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Incorrect Passive Construction. The phrase "it was survived" attempts to use the verb 'survive' in the passive voice, which is grammatically flawed. This construction deviates from standard English usage as noted by Ludwig's AI analysis.
Frequent in
News & Media
75%
Wiki
25%
Science
0%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "it was survived" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, "survive" is a transitive verb that requires an active subject. The analyzed examples show rare occurrences, mainly in news and media contexts, but this doesn't validate its use. Instead, use active voice constructions like "it survived". This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity. Alternatives such as "it endured" or "it persisted" can also be used depending on the specific context you're trying to convey.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it endured
Replaces the passive construction with an active verb, indicating persistence.
it lived on
Emphasizes continued existence after a certain event or period.
it persisted
Highlights the sustained continuation despite challenges.
it continued to exist
Provides a more descriptive and literal expression of survival.
it remained
Indicates a state of staying in the same condition or place.
it pulled through
Suggests overcoming a difficult situation to survive.
it weathered the storm
Uses a metaphorical expression to convey survival through hardship.
it overcame
Highlights the act of conquering or surpassing a challenge.
it was sustained
Focuses on external support allowing survival.
it avoided destruction
Specifically addresses the escape from being destroyed.
FAQs
How can I correct the phrase "it was survived"?
The phrase "it was survived" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Use the active voice instead, saying "it survived". This makes the sentence clearer and grammatically sound.
What are some alternatives to "it was survived"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it endured", "it persisted", or "it lived on" as alternatives. Each carries a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core idea of survival.
Is "it was survived" ever correct?
In most standard English contexts, "it was survived" is not considered correct. The verb "survive" is typically used in the active voice. There might be very rare and specific niche contexts where a passive construction is attempted, but these should be avoided in formal writing.
What's the difference between "it survived" and "it was survived"?
"It survived" is in the active voice, indicating that something actively endured. "It was survived", while grammatically questionable, attempts to use passive voice, but is not standard English. Therefore, "it survived" is the preferred and correct construction.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested