it was traded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was traded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action where an item or asset has been exchanged or sold in the past. Example: "The rare baseball card was so valuable that it was traded for a significant amount of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It was traded up and now is full of chic tourists -- and me.

The New York Times

Perhaps it was traded by the Europeans, or came from nearby African republics; Congo has copper stocks.

The New York Times

Two years later, it was traded (along with Mike Dunleavy's bad contract) to the Indiana Pacers, for Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington.

The New York Times

It was traded in money markets and used in securities transactions, but it was of little use in buying a newspaper, baguette or cup of coffee.

The New York Times

"How it was traded between the less sophisticated people up in the hills, who made it, and the more sophisticated people down in Babylon, who drank it.

The New Yorker

In fact, those who made such a killing by flipping the stock the first day it was traded profited precisely from their skepticism.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Late last week, it was trading at 2.48 percent.

The New York Times

It was trading around $16.62 this afternoon.

MIT Technology Review

It was trading around $15.35 last week.

The New York Times

It was trading at about $1.35 as this week began.

The New York Times

In July it was trading just above $1.21.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was traded", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to, especially in longer sentences, to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "It was traded and then lost", specify "The company stock was traded and then lost value."

Common error

Avoid using "it was traded" when the action is ongoing or recent. Use "it is being traded" or "it is trading" for current activities. For example, don't say "The stock it was traded all day" when you should say "The stock is trading all day".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was traded" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (it) underwent an action (trading). This emphasizes the object that was traded rather than the actor performing the trade, as demonstrated by Ludwig in various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was traded" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned passive construction used to describe a past exchange or sale. While Ludwig identifies it as used uncommonly, it appears frequently in "News & Media", "Wiki" and "Science" contexts. When using "it was traded", clarity and correct tense usage are key. Alternatives include "it was exchanged" and "it was sold", offering subtle differences in emphasis depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was exchanged

Emphasizes the mutual giving and receiving aspect of the trade.

it was sold

Focuses on the act of selling and receiving money in return.

it was bartered

Highlights the exchange of goods or services without using money.

it was swapped

Suggests a more informal or casual exchange.

it was transferred

Implies a formal movement or handover of ownership.

it was dealt

Indicates that something was distributed or handled as part of a transaction.

it was marketed

Focuses on the promotion and sale of a product.

it was auctioned

Specifies that the item was sold through an auction process.

it was divested

Suggests the selling off of a business unit or asset.

ownership was relinquished

Focuses on the act of giving up ownership through a trade or sale.

FAQs

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

Use "it was traded" to describe a past exchange or sale of something. For example: "The antique vase "it was traded" for a substantial sum."

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

You can use alternatives like "it was exchanged", "it was sold", or "it was bartered" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it was traded" and "it is being traded"?

"It was traded" refers to a completed action in the past, whereas "it is being traded" indicates an action that is currently in progress.

Is "it was traded" formal or informal?

"It was traded" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject and the overall tone of the writing.