was adopted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was adopted by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a particular idea, policy, or practice was accepted or implemented by a person, group, or organization. Example: "The new policy was adopted by the board after extensive discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was adopted by a Kabuki actor.

The New Yorker

Its orientalized Christianity was adopted by Russia.

The New Yorker

The device was adopted by the Royal Navy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was adopted by Elizabeth's family.

The New Yorker

"Later it was adopted by Louis XIV".

The New York Times - Books

The bride was adopted by Mr. Levy.

The New York Times - Style

He was adopted by another family.

The Guardian

I was adopted by a hooker.

The New York Times

The resolution was adopted by an 11-1-3 11-1-3 11-1-3

Harvard University

Markell's proposal was adopted by the Sentry Court.

Harvard University

His recipe was adopted by nearly every death-penalty state.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was adopted by", ensure that the subject adopting and the object being adopted are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was adopted by" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The rule was adopted by the committee", consider "The committee adopted the rule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was adopted by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being adopted. Ludwig shows that it is often used to describe the acceptance or implementation of policies, ideas, or techniques.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was adopted by" is a common and grammatically sound passive voice construction used to indicate that an idea, policy, or practice has been accepted or implemented by a particular entity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. When writing, clarity is key: ensure both the adopter and the adopted are well-defined. While "was adopted by" is generally acceptable, consider active voice constructions for greater directness and conciseness. Alternatives such as "was embraced by" or "was accepted by" may offer nuance depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was embraced by

Replaces "adopted" with a synonym suggesting enthusiastic acceptance.

was accepted by

Emphasizes agreement or approval, rather than active implementation.

was implemented by

Focuses on the action of putting something into effect.

was approved by

Highlights the formal consent or authorization given.

was ratified by

Suggests a formal confirmation or validation, typically by a governing body.

was endorsed by

Implies support or recommendation, often by a person or organization of influence.

was taken up by

Indicates the beginning of using or practicing something.

was instituted by

Highlights the action of establishing or originating a system or practice.

was pioneered by

Focuses on being the first to develop or use something.

was championed by

Highlights the act of actively supporting and promoting something.

FAQs

How to use "was adopted by" in a sentence?

Use "was adopted by" to indicate that a particular idea, policy, or practice was accepted or implemented by someone or something. For example: "The new policy "was adopted by" the board after extensive discussions."

What can I say instead of "was adopted by"?

You can use alternatives like "was embraced by", "was accepted by", or "was implemented by" depending on the context.

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

"Was adopted by" is the passive voice, indicating that something was acted upon. "Adopted by" can be part of a clause, but requires a verb. For example, "The policy that "was adopted by" the committee is effective immediately", versus "the policy adopted by the committee...".

What's the difference between "was adopted by" and "was adapted by"?

"Was adopted by" means something was formally accepted or taken on. "Was adapted by" means something was modified to suit a new purpose or condition. For example, a policy can be adopted; a book can be adapted into a film.