she was given

USAGE SUMMARY

"she was given" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to say that something was given to someone, either by another person or by fate. For example: She was given a second chance at life when the doctors discovered the cure for her illness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She was given headphones.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was given four months' notice.

The Guardian

She was given a social life.

The New Yorker

She was given a summons and released.

The New York Times

She was given three shots of Narcan.

The New York Times

She was given two years to live.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was given no warning.

The Guardian

She was given the letter.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

She was giving better than she got.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was giving some speeches.

The Washington Post

Soon she was giving out advice.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was given", ensure the passive voice is appropriate for the context. Consider whether it's more effective to use an active voice construction to emphasize the giver.

Common error

Avoid using "she was given" when the actor is important or the focus should be on who performed the action. In such cases, rephrase to use the active voice: 'Someone gave her...' instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "she was given" is to form the passive voice of the verb 'to give'. It indicates that the subject (she) is the recipient of an action, rather than the performer. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was given" functions as the passive voice, indicating that a female subject received something. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct phrase. It enjoys widespread usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia, as evidenced by the examples. While grammatically sound and broadly applicable, effective writing involves understanding when the passive voice is most suitable and when active constructions would be more impactful. Related phrases like "she received" or "she was granted" offer subtle variations in meaning, accommodating nuanced expression. As evidenced by Ludwig, using the correct alternative will guarantee clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she received

Uses a different verb to express the act of receiving something.

she was granted

Implies a formal or official bestowal.

she obtained

Suggests an effort to acquire something.

she was awarded

Specifically indicates a prize or honor.

she came into possession of

A more formal way of saying she received something.

she was presented with

Emphasizes the act of giving something as a gift or honor.

she was entrusted with

Highlights the responsibility associated with what she received.

she inherited

Specifically refers to receiving something through inheritance.

she was bequeathed

A formal term for leaving something in a will.

she was offered

Implies a proposal or suggestion to receive something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she was given" to use the active voice?

To use the active voice, identify the giver and make them the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of "She was given a book", you could say "He gave her a book".

What are some alternatives to "she was given"?

Alternatives include "she received", "she obtained", or "she was granted", depending on the specific context. Consider also "she received", "she obtained", and "she was granted".

Is "she was given" formal or informal?

"She was given" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "she was granted" might be preferable in some situations.

When is it best to use the passive voice with "she was given"?

The passive voice is best when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the recipient of the action. For instance, "She was given medication" focuses on the fact that she received medication, not necessarily who administered it.