was assisted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was assisted by" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who received help or aid from another person or group. Example: The elderly woman was assisted by her kind neighbor in carrying her groceries home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was assisted by two youthful apprentices.

The New Yorker

I was assisted by another environmental crisis.

The Guardian

She was assisted by Alison Green.

The Guardian

He was assisted by Taizo Yamamoto.

The New York Times - Magazine

And it was assisted by western aid money.

The Guardian

Carleton was assisted by several dozen faithful observers.

The New Yorker

Laidlaw's investigation was assisted by a team of external accountants.

The Guardian

Mr. Hevesi says the company was assisted by Mr. Schwartz.

The New York Times

In the largest projects he was assisted by undermasters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was assisted by a non-Jansenist parish priest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jones was assisted by his 20-something sons, Robert Jr. and Rees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was assisted by", ensure that it's clear who or what provided the assistance. Provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "The project was assisted by volunteers", specify "The project was assisted by 20 local volunteers who dedicated over 500 hours".

Common error

Avoid using "was assisted by" without clearly stating who or what provided the assistance. Omitting this information can make the sentence unclear and less informative. Instead of saying 'The study was assisted by...', specify 'The study was assisted by the National Institutes of Health.'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was assisted by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received help or support from someone or something else. Ludwig shows examples where this construction is used to describe collaborative efforts or support provided to individuals or projects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was assisted by" is a versatile and grammatically correct passive voice construction that clearly indicates the receipt of aid or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in diverse contexts, ranging from news reports and encyclopedias to scientific articles, and is characterized by a neutral to formal register. Remember to clearly state who or what provided the assistance to avoid ambiguity and enhance the clarity of your writing. Consider using related phrases like "was helped by" or "was aided by" for stylistic variation. The frequent usage of "was assisted by" across reputable sources underscores its reliability and acceptance in standard English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was aided by

A synonym that is interchangeable with "was assisted by" in most contexts.

was helped by

A more informal and direct way of saying "was assisted by".

had the help of

Similar to "was helped by" but slightly more formal.

received assistance from

Emphasizes the act of receiving help rather than the act of providing it.

was supported by

Focuses on the act of providing support, which can be emotional, financial, or practical.

gained support from

Highlights the active gaining or acquiring of support.

benefited from the support of

Highlights the positive outcome resulting from the assistance.

obtained assistance from

Emphasizes the effort involved in getting the help.

was facilitated by

Suggests that something was made easier or more possible due to the assistance.

was backed by

Implies a more formal or official form of support or endorsement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was assisted by" in a formal context?

In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "was aided by", "received assistance from", or "benefited from the support of" to maintain a professional tone.

What's a more casual way to say "was assisted by"?

For informal situations, you can use phrases like "was helped by" or "had the help of".

Is there a difference between "was assisted by" and "was supported by"?

While similar, "was supported by" often implies a broader range of aid, which can include emotional, financial, or logistical support. "Was assisted by" typically refers to more direct, hands-on help.

How to avoid passive voice when using "was assisted by"?

To convert the sentence to active voice, rephrase it to emphasize the actor. For instance, instead of "The project was assisted by volunteers", say "Volunteers assisted the project".