was brought about

USAGE SUMMARY

"was brought about" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase "was brought about" to describe how a particular event or situation was caused or initiated. Example: The revolutionary change in government policy was brought about by public demonstrations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The present shortage was brought about by the '38 hurricane which churned up 400 acres….

The New Yorker

The crackdown on baby sleep products was brought about by a confluence of factors.

The New York Times

Their next try at recording was brought about by an individual called Norman Petty.

The Guardian - Music

Readers take note: opportunity was brought about by the fusion of socialist policies and materialistic dreams.

The New York Times

Tragically, the novelists were right that much of the death toll was brought about by hubris.

The New Yorker

This growth was brought about, above all, by the emergence of the private economy.

The Guardian

The change in public perception was brought about by Windows on the World.

The New York Times - Food

It was brought about by a certain set of conditions — lawlessness, sectarian violence, corruption.

The New Yorker

In what was to become a persistent phenomenon in Balkan history, unity was brought about mostly by external pressure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The divorce was brought about by the Slovaks, who always felt like the junior partner in the federation.

The New York Times - Sports

Their dissemination throughout the world was brought about by the uniformity of their standard and milling characteristics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required for your context. While "was brought about" is generally acceptable, more formal or informal alternatives might be suitable depending on your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "was brought about" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb like "caused" would be more concise and effective. For example, instead of "The accident was brought about by speeding", use "Speeding caused the accident".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was brought about" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent a change or event as a result of an external cause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was brought about" is a versatile phrase used to indicate causation, highlighting the reasons behind a change or event. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts. It's primarily found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, exhibiting a neutral to formal register. While generally correct, avoid overuse in simple sentences where more direct verbs would suffice. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both the result and the cause to enhance understanding and avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of context to decide between the most appropriate synonym.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was caused by

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on the cause-and-effect relationship.

resulted from

This phrase emphasizes the outcome as a direct consequence of something.

stemmed from

This alternative suggests an origin or root cause that led to the current situation.

arose from

This phrase implies an emergence or beginning from a particular source or event.

was triggered by

This alternative highlights a specific event that initiated a series of actions or a new condition.

was induced by

This phrase suggests that something was influenced or persuaded to happen.

was generated by

This alternative focuses on the creation or production of something as a result of specific actions.

was initiated by

This phrase stresses the starting point or beginning of a process or event.

originated from

This alternative denotes the place or point where something began.

was prompted by

This phrase implies that something was encouraged or motivated by a certain factor.

FAQs

How can I use "was brought about" in a sentence?

Use "was brought about" to indicate that something was caused or initiated by a specific event or factor. For example, "The change in policy "was brought about" by public demand".

What's the difference between "was brought about" and "was caused by"?

While both phrases indicate causation, "was brought about" often implies a more complex or indirect process, whereas "was caused by" is a more direct statement of cause and effect. For example, a hurricane "was caused by" atmospheric conditions, while social reform "was brought about" by a combination of factors.

What are some alternatives to "was brought about" for formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "resulted from", "stemmed from", or "arose from" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was brought about" in a passive construction?

Yes, "was brought about" is inherently a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being caused. It is grammatically correct as long as the sentence structure is logical and the cause is clearly identified.