was applicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was applicable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was relevant or suitable in a particular context or situation in the past. Example: "The policy was applicable to all employees during the transition period."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

b) You would use the product (if the product was applicable to you).

Huffington Post

Results found the application was applicable.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The results found application of the mathematical model was applicable.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

He thought that whatever he said was applicable to everyone".

The Guardian - Books

But the training was applicable at any speed.

The New York Times - Arts

The remark was applicable to the actor's vocal delivery both on stage and off.

The Guardian

"It was difficult to demonstrate how this was applicable to human welfare," said Fields.

The New York Times

The original agreement was applicable to any policing agency in Ferguson.

The Guardian

One assumes that publishers believe that this same reader beware was applicable to several other books published recently.

The New York Times - Books

The lawsuit challenged whether a 1999 law requiring disclosure of policies on protection of clients' privacy was applicable to lawyers.

The New York Times

After the hearing, the United States attorney, Michael J. Sullivan, said the government was confident that the charge was applicable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was applicable", ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject was applicable to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was applicable" without specifying the limitations or conditions. Be precise about when and where the applicability held true; otherwise, it may lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was applicable" functions as a linking verb with an adjective complement. It asserts that a particular quality or condition (applicability) existed for a subject at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was applicable" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to denote that something held relevance or suitability in a past scenario. As per Ludwig AI, it's used across diverse fields such as science, news, and general discourse. While the phrase is generally clear, ensuring contextual clarity improves its effectiveness. Consider alternatives such as "was relevant", or "was appropriate" for nuance. By avoiding overgeneralization and specifying what it applied to, you can communicate with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was relevant

Replaces "applicable" with a synonym emphasizing direct connection and importance to the matter at hand.

was pertinent

Similar to "relevant" but suggests a more specific and immediate importance.

was appropriate

Indicates that something was suitable or fitting for a particular situation.

applied

A more concise alternative focusing on the action of applying something in a specific case.

held true

Implies that something remained valid or accurate in a past context.

was valid

Indicates that something was officially or legally acceptable.

was in effect

Suggests that a rule, law, or agreement was operational at a certain time.

was in force

Similar to "was in effect", emphasizing the active and binding nature of a rule or law.

pertained

A more formal way of saying something was related or connected to a specific subject.

carried weight

Implies that something had influence or importance in a particular decision or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "was applicable" to indicate that a rule, method, or concept was relevant or suitable in a past situation. For example, "The discount /s/was+applicable only to purchases made before July 1st".

What's a good substitute for "was applicable"?

Alternatives include "was relevant", "was pertinent", or "was appropriate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was applicable to" or "was applicable for"?

"Was applicable to" is generally preferred because it clearly indicates the object or situation to which something applied. "Was applicable for" is less common and might sound awkward in some contexts.

What is the difference between "was applicable" and "is applicable"?

"Was applicable" refers to a past condition, indicating something used to be relevant or suitable. "Is applicable" refers to a present or ongoing condition, meaning something currently applies.