was audited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was audited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an event where an examination or review of accounts, processes, or compliance has taken place in the past. Example: "The financial statements for the previous year were audited by an external firm to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Almost inevitably, WorldCom was audited by Andersen.

The Economist

My federal income tax was audited for three consecutive years.

The New York Times

Autonomy was audited by the British arm of Deloitte.

The New York Times

The Madoff enterprise was audited by a tiny firm that was not subject to board inspection.

The New York Times

The spokesman said the bureau's handling of information was audited externally as well as internationally.

The Guardian

Only 1 in every 66 corporations was audited last year, the lowest rate in 86 years.

The New York Times

By contrast, 1 in every 87 taxpayers whose income was above $100,000 was audited.

The New York Times

Not only that, the last time it was audited was 15 years ago, he said.

The New York Times

The Nixon fund was audited in the days just before the candidate took to the airwaves.

The New Yorker

In fact, this should have said that it was audited every year by two internationally reputed audit firms.

The Economist

Adecco was audited until 2001 by Arthur Andersen, which collapsed in the wake of the Enron scandal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was audited", ensure the context clearly identifies what was audited and by whom, if relevant. For example, "The company's financial records were audited by an independent accounting firm."

Common error

Avoid using "was audited" without specifying what was being audited. For instance, instead of saying "The process was audited", clarify with "The manufacturing process was audited to ensure compliance with safety standards."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was audited" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received the action of being examined or reviewed. It is commonly used to describe a completed audit process, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was audited" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb construction used to indicate that something has undergone an audit. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While interchangeable alternatives exist, such as "underwent an audit" or "was reviewed", clarity is key. Ensure to specify what was audited and by whom, when relevant, to avoid vagueness. The phrase maintains a neutral register and serves to inform audiences that an audit has taken place, often to assure compliance or accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underwent an audit

Focuses on the process of undergoing the audit rather than the state of being audited.

was subject to an audit

Emphasizes the compulsory or regulatory nature of the audit.

had an audit conducted

Highlights the action of conducting the audit, implying someone performed it.

was reviewed

A more general term for examination, not necessarily implying a formal audit.

was inspected

Suggests a more physical or visual examination.

was checked

Implies a simpler, less thorough examination.

was examined

A broad term for looking into something carefully.

was scrutinized

Suggests a very detailed and critical examination.

was assessed

Focuses on evaluating the quality or value.

was validated

Emphasizes confirming the accuracy or correctness.

FAQs

How is "was audited" used in a sentence?

Use "was audited" to indicate that something has been examined or reviewed, typically financial records or processes. For example, "The company's tax return "was audited" by the IRS."

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

Alternatives include "was reviewed", "was examined", or "underwent an audit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they imply slightly different timeframes. "Was audited" refers to a completed action in the past, while "has been audited" suggests an action completed at some point in the past that has relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "was audited" and "will be audited"?

"Was audited" indicates a past action, meaning the audit has already taken place. "Will be audited" indicates a future action, meaning the audit is scheduled to occur.