was altered

USAGE SUMMARY

"was altered" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a change or modification that was made to something in the past. It is typically used in the passive voice. An example sentence using "was altered" could be: "The design of the building was altered to incorporate more natural light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was altered.

The New York Times

But his life was altered.

The New York Times

The McQueen dress was altered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The quality of time itself was altered.

The New Yorker

Everything was altered in an instant".

The New York Times - Arts

This was altered to protect her.

The Guardian

Chromatic experience was altered using colored filters.

Neuron

Michael Finley's legacy was altered when he got here.

The Washington Post

The expression of genes mediating Wnt signaling was altered.

Stanford University

Some disputed material was altered or taken out.

The New York Times - Arts

But the language referring to long-term deals was altered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was altered", clearly state what was altered and, if relevant, the reason or method of alteration. This provides clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "was altered" without specifying what underwent the change. Ambiguity can confuse readers. Instead of saying "The situation was altered", specify "The project timeline was altered due to unforeseen delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was altered" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has undergone a change or modification. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. Its role is to describe a past action where the subject received the action rather than performed it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was altered" is a grammatically sound and widely used passive voice construction employed to indicate a past change or modification. Ludwig AI analysis shows that this phrase is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, reflecting its formal register. Common errors include failing to specify what was altered, potentially leading to ambiguity. To avoid this, always clarify the subject of alteration. Based on the frequency of usage, "was altered" is a very common phrase, signaling its relevance and utility in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was modified

Emphasizes a change made to improve or adapt something.

was changed

A general term for something becoming different.

was adjusted

Suggests a fine-tuning or minor correction.

was transformed

Implies a significant or dramatic change.

was revised

Focuses on improving something through editing or rewriting.

was amended

Highlights a formal change or addition.

was adapted

Suggests changing something to suit a new purpose or condition.

was converted

Implies a change from one form or state to another.

was reformed

Highlights a change to improve behavior or structure.

was updated

Suggests bringing something up to date.

FAQs

How to use "was altered" in a sentence?

Use "was altered" to indicate that something experienced a change in the past. For example, "The original plan was altered due to budget constraints."

What can I say instead of "was altered"?

You can use alternatives like "was modified", "was changed", or "was adjusted" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was altered" or "has been altered"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was altered" refers to a completed action in the past, while "has been altered" indicates an action completed at some point before now and may have ongoing relevance.

What's the difference between "was altered" and "altered"?

"Was altered" is in the passive voice, indicating that something was changed by an unspecified agent. "Altered" can be used in the active voice, where the subject performs the action of changing something.