money was returned

USAGE SUMMARY

"money was returned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that money was given back. For example, "After a few days, the lender returned the money to the borrower."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The money was returned.

The Guardian

The money was returned to Mr. John.

The New York Times

Estimates on how much money was returned vary greatly.

The New York Times

Some of that money was returned to brokerage customers in a separate proceeding.

The New York Times

Some of that money was returned to Blodget in the form of salary increases and bonuses.

The New Yorker

The campaign disclosure forms indicate that the money was returned within two weeks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It gets worse: The state demanded the money be returned.

The New York Times

Our equipment and money were returned to us.

The New York Times

That money is returned to the buyers of the Top 10 pairs.

The New York Times

When it doesn't, the performance is cancelled and the money is returned to ticketholders.

The Guardian - Travel

The trustees have also asked that the $4,000 prize money be returned, a university spokeswoman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "money was returned", ensure the context clearly indicates who returned the money and to whom. For clarity, include the reason for the return if relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "money was returned" in situations where it's unclear who performed the action. Specify the agent to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The money was returned", write "The company returned the money".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "money was returned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the action of returning was performed on the money. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly used to describe financial transactions where funds are given back.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "money was returned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing the act of giving money back. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and appropriate in various contexts, primarily in news and media. Ensure clarity by specifying who returned the money. While generally neutral in register, it maintains a professional tone. Consider alternatives like "funds were reimbursed" or "payment was refunded" for more formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

funds were reimbursed

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary.

payment was refunded

This alternative emphasizes the act of refunding a payment.

the amount was repaid

This alternative focuses on the repayment of a specific sum.

the money got paid back

This is a more informal way of expressing the same idea.

cash was given back

This emphasizes the physical act of returning cash.

the debt was settled

It suggests that a financial obligation was fulfilled by returning money.

the balance was restored

This alternative emphasizes that the financial situation returned to its original state.

the obligation was discharged

This suggests a formal or legal process of fulfilling a financial duty.

the money came back

This is a very simple and direct way to express the concept of money being returned.

the credit was issued

This alternative suggests that the money was returned in the form of a credit note.

FAQs

How to use "money was returned" in a sentence?

Use "money was returned" to describe a situation where funds have been given back to the original owner or sender. For example, "After the error was discovered, the "money was returned" to the customer".

What can I say instead of "money was returned"?

You can use alternatives like "funds were reimbursed", "payment was refunded", or "the amount was repaid" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "money was returned" or "money has been returned"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "money was returned" implies a completed action in the past, while "money has been returned" suggests a recently completed action with present relevance.

What's the difference between "money was returned" and "money was refunded"?

"Money was returned" is a general term indicating the money went back. "Money was refunded" typically implies that the "money was refunded" as a result of a purchase being cancelled or a service not being rendered.