it was watched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was watched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was observed or viewed by someone in the past. Example: "The movie was so captivating that it was watched multiple times by the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In its original broadcast it was watched by 9.8 million households, according to the Nielsen ratings system.

Wikipedia

In its original broadcast, it was watched by 19.25 million viewers, according to the Nielsen ratings system.

Wikipedia

At the peak of its popularity in the 1980s, it was watched by 17 million viewers.

The Guardian

It could record any program as it was watched, as well as anything its owner instructed it to record.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was watched by 576,000 viewers and was the 14th most-watched program of the night.

Wikipedia

According to the Nielsen ratings, it was watched by 5.21 million households in its original airing.

Wikipedia

According to Nielsen ratings, it was watched by 7.14 million people in its original airing.

Wikipedia

According to Nielsen ratings, it was watched by 2.7 million viewers in its original airing.

Wikipedia

According to the Nielsen ratings system, it was watched by 7.2 million households during its original broadcast.

Wikipedia

According to the Nielsen ratings system, it was watched by 6.4 million households during its original broadcast.

Wikipedia

It was watched by 36.1% of television viewers during its original broadcast.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing viewership, consider specifying the source of the data (e.g., Nielsen ratings) to enhance credibility.

Common error

While "it was watched" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider using active constructions such as "viewers watched it" for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was watched" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (e.g., a show, a debate) received the action of being viewed. Ludwig examples show it used to report viewership numbers or to generally describe observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

53%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was watched" is a grammatically sound passive construction commonly used to express that something has been viewed by an audience. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and wiki contexts to report viewership statistics or describe popularity. While the phrase is generally acceptable, writers should be aware of potentially overusing the passive voice and consider active alternatives where appropriate. Remember to specify data sources for credibility. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was seen by people

Similar in meaning but slightly more verbose, specifying human perception.

it attracted viewers

Highlights the act of drawing in an audience, emphasizing appeal.

it garnered viewership

Replaces the passive voice with a more active construction, focusing on the audience attracted.

it had an audience of

Specifies the size of the viewing group, emphasizing numerical reach.

people viewed it

Shifts the focus to the audience as the subject, making it more direct.

viewers tuned in

Highlights the act of selecting and watching a broadcast.

it enjoyed popularity

Focuses on the positive reception and wide acceptance of the viewed item.

it drew a crowd

Implies a large and engaged viewership, emphasizing impact.

it registered views

Emphasizes a recorded count of viewings, often used for online content.

it secured impressions

Focuses on the number of times the content was displayed to users.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was watched" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "people watched it" or "viewers tuned in". These options make the sentence more direct and engaging.

What's the difference between "it was watched" and "it was viewed"?

While both phrases are similar, "it was viewed" might suggest a more formal or critical observation, whereas "it was watched" is a more general term for viewing.

Is "it was watched by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was watched by" is grammatically correct. It specifies who or what did the watching, for example, "It was watched by millions of people."

What are some alternatives to "it was watched" when discussing online content?

For online content, consider using phrases like "it received views", "it registered impressions", or "it went viral" depending on the context.