it was withheld

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was withheld" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been kept back or not disclosed, such as information, funds, or documents. Example: "The report was submitted, but certain sensitive details were withheld for privacy reasons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was withheld at his trial.

The Guardian

The sender requested that his name be withheld and it was withheld by the Ethicist.

The New York Times

"It's either brand new," he said, "or it was withheld from us.

The New York Times

It was withheld then for lack of space, and was rewritten in April.

The New York Times

If non-disclosure is a fact it would be difficult to conclude other than it was withheld deliberately".

The Guardian

It was withheld from the Hutton Inquiry, and government witnesses concealed it or played down its significance to Lord Hutton.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It was withholding information from Congress, not lying to Congress.

The New York Times

The group said that it was withholding more detailed comment until it studied the proposed regulations.

The New York Times

It did provide a list of the e-mail messages it was withholding.

The New York Times

On Sunday, the department indicated that it was "withholding all charges for demolitions carried out" by the city.

The New York Times

The group said it was withholding data on sales so far in 2016 on the advice of its lawyers.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was withheld" to clearly convey that something was intentionally kept back, whether it's information, an object, or a privilege. Ensure the context makes clear who withheld it and why.

Common error

Avoid using "it was withheld" when you actually mean "it was not received". "Withheld" implies an active decision to keep something back, not simply a failure to receive it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was withheld" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (information, object, etc.) was actively kept back or not revealed. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where information or items were deliberately not disclosed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was withheld" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that something was intentionally kept back or not disclosed. As Ludwig AI's analysis reveals, its primary function is to inform about the act of withholding, which often implies a motive. The phrase has a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, science and wiki. Remember to use "withheld" when referring to an intentional act of keeping something back, and avoid using it when you simply mean something was not received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was not disclosed

Focuses on the lack of revelation or communication of information.

it was kept secret

Emphasizes the intentional act of maintaining secrecy.

it was suppressed

Suggests an active effort to prevent something from becoming known.

it was concealed

Highlights the act of hiding something from view or knowledge.

it was not revealed

Similar to 'not disclosed' but can imply a gradual unveiling that didn't occur.

it was held back

Implies a temporary or strategic decision to not release something.

it was unreleased

Indicates that something has not been made available to the public.

it was not publicized

Focuses on the absence of public announcement or promotion.

it was kept under wraps

An idiomatic expression emphasizing secrecy and careful guarding.

it was classified

Suggests the information was officially designated as secret for security reasons.

FAQs

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

Use "it was withheld" to indicate that something was intentionally kept back or not disclosed. For example, "The information "it was withheld" during the initial investigation."

What are some alternatives to "it was withheld"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was not disclosed", "it was kept secret", or "it was suppressed" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was withheld" formal or informal?

"It was withheld" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "it was withheld" and "it was hidden"?

"It was withheld" implies an active decision to keep something back, while "it was hidden" simply suggests that something was not easily found or visible.