it was tainted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was tainted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been spoiled, contaminated, or negatively affected in some way. Example: "The evidence was deemed unreliable because it was tainted by the investigator's bias."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Here's a question I'm likely to get: Is my presence helping the ADL burnish its reputation after it was tainted through the Cordoba House position?

HuffPost

A restaurant in Minnesota that specialises in African cuisine took Liberian food off its menu because people might fear it was tainted with Ebola.

The Guardian

Three were arrested at British facilities that allegedly handled some of the mis-labeled "beef" and Walmart's British supermarket arm pulled its beef bolognese sauce after finding it was tainted with horse DNA.

Huffington Post

It was tainted with E. coli.

The New York Times - Health

But for Huston, it was "tainted," a propaganda film.

The New York Times

Even great TV could never be good art, because it was tainted by definition.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

One of Wall Street's leading Tesla bulls turned bearish yesterday, describing Elon Musk's behaviour as "erratic" to the point that it was "tainting the Tesla brand".

The Times

Quality is diminished very easily and its largely when it is tainted by greed or obligation, which reduces the true satisfaction that builds wisdom and happiness.

WikiHow

It is tainted money.

The Guardian

It's tainted.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'll eat it, but it's tainted somehow".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was tainted" when you want to convey that something has been negatively affected or compromised, losing its original purity or value.

Common error

Avoid using "it was tainted" to describe something that has improved or become more valuable, as this phrase carries a negative connotation. Consider using words like "enhanced" or "enriched" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was tainted" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something has been negatively affected or corrupted. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe food, reputations, and processes that have been compromised.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was tainted" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that has been negatively affected or corrupted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media, as well as in wikis and academic contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of its negative connotations and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of spoilage or compromise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was corrupted

Replaces "tainted" with "corrupted", suggesting moral decay or perversion.

it was contaminated

Emphasizes physical or literal impurity, like with a disease or poison.

it was defiled

Implies a violation of something sacred or pure.

it was spoiled

Suggests the loss of freshness, value, or quality.

it was affected

Indicates a negative impact or influence without specifying the type.

it was blemished

Highlights the presence of a flaw or imperfection.

it was compromised

Suggests a weakening or undermining of integrity or security.

it was tarnished

Focuses on the loss of luster or reputation.

it was sullied

Highlights that something was made impure or less valuable.

it was stained

Emphasizes a lasting mark or blemish, either literal or figurative.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "it was tainted"?

When something is described as "it was tainted", it means that it has been spoiled, corrupted, or negatively affected in some way, losing its original purity or value.

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

You can use "it was tainted" to describe food, relationships, reputations, or anything else that can be compromised. For example: "The water supply "was tainted" with lead."

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

You can use alternatives like "it was corrupted", "it was contaminated", or "it was spoiled" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "it was tainted" in formal writing?

Yes, "it was tainted" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing something that has been compromised or negatively affected. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure the tone is suitable.