retrieved by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retrieved by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of obtaining or fetching something, often in the context of data or information. Example: "The data was retrieved by the system from the central database."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was quickly retrieved by another passer-by.

The New York Times

Still others are being retrieved by their parents.

The New York Times

The card was later retrieved by police officers and presented as the state's Exhibit No. 1.

The New York Times

It was retrieved by an Australian tourist, who answered when it rang.

The New York Times

They also recycle excerpts from internal Lilly memos, retrieved by lawyers for plaintiffs in earlier lawsuits.

The New York Times - Science

The athlete threw the container into the trash which was retrieved by the DCO.

The Guardian - Sport

It quoted verbatim from three voicemails, and gave the impression they had been retrieved by the police themselves.

The Guardian

They tossed it in the trash bin, but it was retrieved by members of the church across the street.

The New York Times

No doubt, the handkerchief will be swiftly retrieved by a combination of millionaires, green-haired maniacs and yo-yos.

The New York Times - Tech

The Sunday tabloid quoted verbatim from three voicemails, and gave the impression they had been retrieved by the police themselves.

The Guardian

The lectern will be retrieved by the government for display at the military base where Mr. Bush spoke.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retrieved by", ensure the subject performing the retrieval is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The information was retrieved by the research team."

Common error

Avoid using "retrieved by" in a way that obscures who or what is doing the retrieving. Overuse of passive voice can make your writing less direct and harder to understand. Consider using the active voice for clarity: "The researcher retrieved the data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retrieved by" functions as a passive construction, indicating how something was obtained or recovered. It specifies the means or agent responsible for the retrieval action. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

57%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retrieved by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that specifies how something was obtained. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly found in news and scientific articles, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. To maximize clarity, ensure the subject doing the retrieving is clearly identified, and consider using the active voice when appropriate. While alternatives like "obtained by" or "recovered by" exist, "retrieved by" maintains a specific nuance of recovering or accessing information or objects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recovered by

Emphasizes the restoration or regaining of something lost or taken.

regained by

Similar to recovered by, but can imply a more gradual process.

obtained by

Focuses on the act of getting or acquiring something, rather than specifically recovering it.

recaptured by

Suggests regaining control or possession after a loss or escape.

collected by

Highlights the act of gathering items together, often systematically.

salvaged by

Highlights the rescue or preservation of something from damage or loss.

extracted by

Implies a process of carefully removing something from a larger source.

brought back by

Focuses on the action of returning something to its original place or state.

claimed by

Emphasizes the assertion of ownership or right to something.

accessed by

Highlights the ability to gain entry or use of something, often in a digital context.

FAQs

How can I use "retrieved by" in a sentence?

Use "retrieved by" to indicate the agent or method used to obtain something. For example, "The document was retrieved by the librarian", or "The data was retrieved by searching the database".

What's a good alternative to "retrieved by"?

Alternatives include "obtained by", "recovered by", or "collected by", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "retrieved by"?

While "retrieved by" is often used in the passive voice, using the active voice can make your writing more direct. Instead of "The information was retrieved by the system", consider "The system retrieved the information".

What is the difference between "recovered by" and "retrieved by"?

"Retrieved by" generally refers to obtaining something, while "recovered by" implies regaining something that was lost or taken. The choice depends on whether something was simply accessed or regained after a loss.