was absorbed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was absorbed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is taken in or incorporated by another entity, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The sunlight was absorbed by the leaves, allowing the plant to photosynthesize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The theme was absorbed by members of the public.

The New York Times

But I was absorbed by my sense of possession.

The Guardian - Books

More fluoranthene was absorbed by earthworms than ryegrass.

Pedosphere

When it was absorbed by United China Film Company in 1930, Pu's filmmaking career also ended.

Columbia University

President Obama's first term was absorbed by dealing with the Great Recession.

The New York Times

In the palace, he was absorbed by official painting and, increasingly, by nonartistic duties.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1906 the Critic was absorbed by Putnam's Monthly, of which she was associate editor until it in turn was absorbed by the Atlantic Monthly in 1910.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Southern League began in 1894 but was absorbed by the Football League in 1920.

Britannica

Twose said he was absorbed by her striking looks and "contemporary, edgy style".

The Guardian - Arts

Gnome, still in business elsewhere in the city, was absorbed by Fink Bakeries in 1974.

The New York Times

In Dunkirk, a pesticide used on crates leaked onto the cans and was absorbed by lacquer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was absorbed by" when describing a clear process of one entity being taken in or incorporated into another. Ensure the context clarifies whether the absorption is physical, organizational, or metaphorical.

Common error

Avoid using "absorbed" in active voice when a passive construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The company absorbed the smaller firm", consider if "The smaller firm was absorbed by the company" more accurately reflects the subject's experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was absorbed by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject underwent an action performed by another entity. Ludwig examples show how it is used across diverse contexts, from corporate mergers to scientific phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was absorbed by" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive construction frequently used to describe the process of one entity being incorporated or engulfed by another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, use "was absorbed by" to clearly indicate that the subject is the recipient of the action, and consider alternative phrases like "was incorporated into" or "was integrated into" for nuanced meanings. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "was absorbed by" and "was consumed by", as the latter suggests a more destructive process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was incorporated into

Focuses on the integration of something into a larger entity or system.

was integrated into

Emphasizes the blending of elements to form a unified whole.

was assimilated into

Highlights the process of becoming part of a different cultural group or entity.

was consumed by

Implies a complete engulfment or destruction of one thing by another.

was engulfed by

Suggests a sudden and overwhelming takeover.

was subsumed by

Indicates that something is placed within a larger category or entity.

was merged with

Implies an equal joining of two entities.

was taken over by

Suggests a forceful or controlling acquisition.

was drenched in

Focuses on a state of being completely covered or saturated.

was steeped in

Suggests a deep immersion in something, often knowledge or tradition.

FAQs

How can I use "was absorbed by" in a sentence?

Use "was absorbed by" to describe situations where one thing is taken in or incorporated into another. For example, "The smaller company "was absorbed by" the larger corporation", or "The light "was absorbed by" the dark curtains".

What are some alternatives to "was absorbed by"?

You can use alternatives like "was incorporated into", "was integrated into", or "was assimilated into" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was absorbed by" or "absorbed by"?

"Was absorbed by" is a passive construction, while "absorbed by" requires an auxiliary verb to form a complete sentence. "The company was absorbed by its competitor" is correct, while "The company absorbed by its competitor" is grammatically incomplete.

What's the difference between "was absorbed by" and "was consumed by"?

"Was absorbed by" generally implies integration or incorporation, while "was consumed by" suggests destruction or complete disappearance of the absorbed entity. For instance, a smaller business "was absorbed by" a larger one, but a forest was consumed by fire.