was airborne

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was airborne" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is in the air or flying, often referring to aircraft or objects that have taken flight. Example: "The helicopter was airborne within minutes of the emergency call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Aviation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His dancing was airborne.

The New York Times - Books

Suddenly, everyone was airborne.

The Guardian

A few hours later, he was airborne.

The New Yorker

Speechlessness was airborne and contagious.

The New York Times - Sports

He was airborne before he knew it.

The New York Times - Sports

8 27 p.m. Air Force One was airborne.

The New York Times

With that Post story, the Romney balloon was airborne.

The New Yorker

"After three stairs I was airborne," she recalled.

The New York Times

Five steps from there and he was airborne.

The New York Times

The angle-of-attack sensor was showing erroneous readings throughout the time the plane was airborne.

The Washington Post

Man of Steel (6th; $662.8m) was airborne, but not quite in speeding-bullet territory yet.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was airborne" to clearly indicate that an object or person has lifted off the ground and is in the air. It's particularly useful in describing the initial stages of flight or sudden, unexpected moments of being lifted into the air.

Common error

Avoid using "was airborne" to describe something that has been flying for an extended period. While correct at the moment of lift-off, "in flight" or "flying" is more appropriate for continuous aerial movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was airborne" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. It indicates that the subject had transitioned from being grounded to being in the air. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples demonstrating its application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Sports

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was airborne" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the state of being in the air. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Primarily found in News & Media and Sports contexts, it effectively conveys the moment something lifts off the ground or unexpectedly becomes airborne. While versatile, it's best suited for describing initial or brief periods of flight, with alternatives like "in flight" being more apt for sustained aerial movement. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various forms of communication, emphasizing its utility in clear and concise descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became airborne

Highlights the transition from being on the ground to being in the air.

lifted off

Focuses on the physical act of rising from the ground, typically used for aircraft or rockets.

took to the skies

Emphasizes the action of ascending into the air, often used for the beginning of a journey.

in flight

Describes the state of being in the air, focusing on the ongoing act of flying.

rose into the air

Describes a more gradual or majestic ascent.

started flying

Emphasizes the commencement of the act of flying.

off the ground

A more general term indicating that something has left the surface.

left the ground

A simple, direct way of saying something is no longer on the ground.

was aloft

A more formal or literary way of saying something was in the air.

was soaring

Implies a graceful and effortless flight.

FAQs

How can I use "was airborne" in a sentence?

You can use "was airborne" to describe the moment something lifts off the ground, such as "The plane "was airborne" within seconds" or to describe a brief period in the air, like "After hitting the bump, the car "was airborne" for a moment".

What's a good alternative to "was airborne"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "took to the skies" for an aircraft starting a journey, "lifted off" to emphasize the action of rising, or "in flight" to describe something already flying.

Is it correct to say "is airborne" instead of "was airborne"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Is airborne" describes a current state, while "was airborne" describes a past state. For example, "The plane is airborne now" vs "The plane "was airborne" an hour ago".

What does it mean when something "was airborne"?

When something "was airborne", it means that at a specific time in the past, it had lifted off the ground and "was in the air", whether briefly or for a longer period. It implies a state of being off the ground and supported by the air.