that was written

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was written" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been previously composed or documented, often in a narrative or explanatory context. Example: "The letter that was written last week finally arrived in the mail today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We were quoted in virtually every article that was written".

The New Yorker

What was the first section that was written?

The New Yorker

They only got the stuff that was written on the slide.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Which is another thing that was beautiful about the way that was written.

The New York Times - Arts

There was some snobbery about information that was written down to begin with.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For more information about BigTable, see a paper (PDF) that was written about it in 2006.

TechCrunch

In the harder trials, the font color did not match the word that was written.

Duke University

that was written by a Citigroup lobbyist.

Huffington Post

It's a story that was written for us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That was written on a hike.

The New York Times - Magazine

But "Why Did You Do That?" was written to occupy a specific place in the film.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was written" to clearly indicate the past passive voice, emphasizing that the subject received the action of writing. This is particularly useful when the agent (the one who wrote it) is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "which was written" when "that was written" is more appropriate. "That" introduces restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which" introduces non-restrictive clauses (additional but not essential information).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was written" functions as a relative clause, specifically a restrictive relative clause, modifying a noun and providing essential information about it. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was written" serves as a relative clause to provide essential information about something previously put into writing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct. As the analysis shows, its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives like "that was composed" or "that was authored" exist, the phrase remains a common and versatile choice for indicating past written creation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was composed

Replaces "written" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of creation.

that was authored

Highlights the person or entity responsible for the writing.

that was drafted

Suggests a preliminary version or initial formulation.

that was penned

A more literary or old-fashioned way of saying "written".

that was recorded

Focuses on the act of preserving information in written form.

that was documented

Emphasizes the official or formal nature of the writing.

that was inscribed

Implies writing that is permanent or engraved.

that was formulated

Suggests the writing involves a structured or systematic arrangement of ideas.

that was printed

Focuses on the physical production of the written material.

that was set down

Emphasizes the act of putting something into a permanent, written form.

FAQs

How can I use "that was written" in a sentence?

Use "that was written" to refer to something previously composed. For instance, "The report "that was written" last year needs to be updated".

What are some alternatives to "that was written"?

You can use alternatives such as "that was composed", "that was authored", or "that was drafted" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the book that was written by him"?

Yes, "the book "that was written" by him" is grammatically correct. It indicates that the book was written by a specific person.

What's the difference between "that was written" and "which was written"?

"That was written" introduces a restrictive clause essential for defining what you're referring to. "Which was written" introduces a non-restrictive clause providing extra, non-essential information. For example, "The essay "that was written" on climate change won an award" versus "The essay, "which was written" in haste, contained several errors".