was answered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was answered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a question or inquiry has been responded to in the past. Example: "The question about the project timeline was answered during the meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So it was answered.

The New York Times

So that question was answered.

The New Yorker

Well, my prayer was answered".

The New York Times - Sports

Of course not, it was answered.

The New York Times

Above question was answered by six people.

The New Yorker

The poll was answered by 318 players.

The New York Times

Every question on my list was answered.

The New York Times

The question was answered by Nargis.

The New Yorker

He was answered by a polite cheer.

The Guardian - Sport

Finally his question was answered: no.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The second of those was answered Wednesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was answered" in the passive voice to emphasize the response rather than the responder, especially when the responder is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus should be on the information received. For example, instead of "Someone answered the question", use "The question "was answered" to emphasize the response itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was answered" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a question, request, or inquiry received a response. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound and well-supported by examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was answered" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction to indicate that a question or request received a response. As shown by Ludwig AI, it is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal communications. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "was answered" and alternative phrases like "was addressed" or "was responded to". Remember to use the passive voice to emphasize the information received rather than the responder.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was explained

Focuses on the act of making something understandable through the answer.

was addressed

Indicates that attention was given to the question and a response was provided.

received a response

Replaces "answered" with a more general term, focusing on the act of receiving a response rather than the manner.

met with a reply

Similar to 'received a response', but uses 'reply' for a more direct and concise answer.

found a solution

Shifts the focus to the outcome of answering, highlighting that a solution was discovered.

was resolved

Emphasizes the completion of the answering process, indicating that the issue is settled.

was clarified

Highlights that the answer provided made something clearer or easier to understand.

was revealed

Implies that the answer brought something to light that was previously unknown.

was elucidated

A more formal synonym for 'was clarified', suggesting a thorough and detailed explanation was given.

was determined

Highlights the definitive nature of the answer, suggesting a firm conclusion was reached.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was answered" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was addressed" or "was elucidated", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "was answered" and "was responded to"?

While both phrases are similar, "was answered" is generally more concise and direct. "was responded to" can sometimes imply a more elaborate or detailed response.

Is it correct to say "has been answered" instead of "was answered"?

Yes, "has been answered" is grammatically correct. "Was answered" implies a completed action in the past, while "has been answered" suggests that the question has been answered at some point and may still be relevant.

What are some situations where using "was answered" is most appropriate?

"Was answered" is suitable when you want to indicate that a question or inquiry received a response at a specific time in the past, especially when the person or entity that provided the answer is not the main focus of the sentence.