was brought down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was brought down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone has been reduced in status, power, or physical position. Example: "The once-mighty empire was brought down by internal strife and external pressures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Napoleon was brought down by space, weather, nature.

The Guardian

"It was brought down in a carefully planned controlled demolition.

The Guardian

Moldovan authorities said it was brought down by insurgent fire.

The New York Times

He told the jury he was brought down like an old water buffalo by "two hyenas".

Independent

Half of it was brought down when the ocean crashed over dunes.

The New York Times

But authorities have refuted claims the plane was brought down in a terrorist attack.

Independent

Syria maintains that the plane was brought down by antiaircraft fire well within its airspace.

The New York Times

Mr Berlusconi's previous government, in the mid-1990s, was brought down over pension reform.

The Economist

The curtain was brought down, Regaining consciousness Colleano fought his way back to the wire.

The New Yorker

Inter stirred, Giampaolo Pazzini was brought down by Mandanda for a penalty, which Pazzini himself scored.

The New York Times - Sports

City took the lead after Tévez was brought down by Carlos Cuéllar on the first attack.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was brought down" in passive constructions to emphasize the result of an action rather than the actor. For instance, "The government was brought down by scandal" focuses on the government's fate.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "was brought down". Ensure the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense to prevent grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was brought down" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject experienced an action performed by an unnamed actor. As noted by Ludwig, it describes situations where something is reduced in status, power, or physical position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Sports

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was brought down" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe a reduction in status, power, or physical position. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to describe the downfall or destruction of something, often emphasizing consequences over causes. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, but also appears in Science and Wiki contexts, maintaining a generally neutral register. While alternatives like ""was overthrown"" or ""was toppled"" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. Ensure consistent tense usage for clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was overthrown

Implies a forceful removal from power, often in a political context.

was toppled

Similar to overthrown, but can also refer to physical structures.

was defeated

Suggests a loss in a competition or conflict.

was undermined

Indicates a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation.

was dismantled

Implies a systematic deconstruction or disassembly.

was suppressed

Suggests that something was forcibly prevented from continuing or being expressed.

was subdued

Indicates being brought under control or conquered.

was quashed

Implies that an action or idea was completely rejected or put down.

was overturned

Can refer to a legal decision being reversed or a physical object being flipped.

collapsed

Refers to a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

FAQs

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

You can use "was brought down" to describe something that has been reduced in status, power, or physical position. For example, "The dictator "was brought down" by a popular uprising".

What are some alternatives to "was brought down"?

Alternatives include "was overthrown", "was toppled", or "was defeated", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but they imply different time frames. "Was brought down" refers to a specific event in the past, while "has been brought down" suggests a more recent event with continuing relevance.

What's the difference between "was brought down" and "collapsed"?

"Was brought down" implies an external force or action caused the downfall, whereas "collapsed" suggests an internal failure or breakdown. For example, "The building collapsed due to structural flaws" versus "The regime "was brought down" by a revolution".