was an element of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was an element of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was a part or component of a larger whole or concept in the past. Example: "The theory was an element of the broader discussion on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Again there was an element of revenge.

The New Yorker

There was an element of danger.

The Guardian - Sport

There was an element of risk.

The Guardian - Sport

There was an element of generational rebellion.

The New Yorker

And there was an element of mystery.

The New Yorker

"There was an element of bravado.

The New York Times

There was an element of theatre about it.

The Guardian - Sport

There was an element of blackmail in Zimmerman's message.

The Guardian

There was an element of caricature in both views.

The Guardian

There was an element of survival to it, too.

The Guardian

But there was an element of grimness, existential grimness".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was an element of" to denote that something constituted a significant, though not necessarily dominant, component within a larger entity or situation. This phrasing adds nuance, suggesting the component was integral to the whole without being the entirety of it.

Common error

Avoid using "was an element of" when simpler alternatives like "was part of" or "was a feature of" suffice. Overusing the phrase in simple contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was an element of" functions as a predicative complement, linking a subject to a characteristic or component that it possessed in the past. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe something as being a constituent or aspect of a broader context or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was an element of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote that something constituted a component or feature of something else in the past. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, though it remains appropriate for general use. While versatile, it's best employed when a simpler alternative would not suffice and when you aim to precisely express that something was an integral aspect of a larger whole.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was a component of

Changes "element" to "component", emphasizing the part as a constituent of a system.

was a part of

Replaces "element" with "part", offering a more general and simpler alternative.

formed a facet of

Substitutes "element" with "facet", highlighting one aspect of a multifaceted subject.

constituted a feature of

Replaces "element" with "feature", focusing on a distinct characteristic.

played a role in

Shifts from static composition to active function; emphasizes contribution.

was instrumental to

Indicates a key contribution, suggesting importance to the overall result.

factored into

Implies that something was taken into account as a contributing influence.

was integrated within

Highlights inclusion and seamless connection within a broader context.

was subsumed under

Suggests incorporation or absorption into a larger category or principle.

was reflective of

Indicates that something mirrors or is indicative of a broader theme or issue.

FAQs

How can I use "was an element of" in a sentence?

Use "was an element of" to indicate that something formed a component or aspect of something else. For example, "The risk "was an element of" the business venture."

What can I say instead of "was an element of"?

You can use alternatives like "was a part of", "was a component of", or "formed a facet of" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was an element of" or "is an element of"?

Both are correct, but "was an element of" refers to a past situation, while "is an element of" refers to the present. For instance, "Poor planning "was an element of" the project's failure", versus "Risk "is an element of" any business undertaking."

What's the difference between "was an element of" and "played a role in"?

"Was an element of" suggests a compositional relationship, while "played a role in" implies active involvement or influence. For example, "Creativity "was an element of" the design" versus "Marketing "played a role in" the product's success."