was brought up

USAGE SUMMARY

'was brought up' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as part of the passive voice. For example, "The girl was brought up in a small town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was brought up right.

The New Yorker

I was brought up in South Africa.

The Guardian

I was brought up near there.

Independent

I was brought up Irish Republican.

Independent

He was brought up in Skowhegan, Maine.

Independent

I was brought up with the military.

Independent

I was brought up the same way.

Independent

He was brought up in Harlem.

The New Yorker

Erté was brought up in St . Petersburg

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was brought up by actors.

The New York Times - Books

She was brought up short.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's upbringing, be specific about the influences and values that shaped them. For example, "He "was brought up" in a family of artists, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for creativity."

Common error

Avoid using "bring up" in the active voice when referring to upbringing. "They bring up their children" is correct for current actions, but "were brought up" is needed for past upbringing. To describe the past state, use the passive form: "They "were brought up" with strong moral values."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was brought up" functions as a passive construction, indicating how someone was raised or educated. It emphasizes the influences and environment that shaped an individual during their formative years. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was brought up" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone's upbringing and the influences that shaped them. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a passive construction and is appropriate for various contexts, from news and media to personal narratives. While synonyms like "was raised" exist, "was brought up" carries a nuanced emphasis on the values and teachings received during childhood. Remember to use the correct passive form and to specify the influences and values that shaped them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was raised

Simple substitution of "brought up" with the direct synonym "raised".

was raised in

Specifies the environment or culture of upbringing.

was reared

A more formal synonym for "raised" or "brought up".

was nurtured

Focuses on the care and attention received during upbringing.

was brought up in the tradition of

Highlights the specific traditions followed during upbringing.

was educated

Highlights the formal learning aspect of upbringing.

was cultivated

Emphasizes the development of specific qualities or skills.

was fostered

Suggests upbringing in a non-biological family or environment.

experienced formative years

Focuses on the impact of early years on development.

had their upbringing

Nominalized form of the phrase focusing on the period of upbringing.

FAQs

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

You can use "was brought up" to describe someone's upbringing or how they were raised. For example, "She "was brought up" in a rural area" or "He "was brought up" with strict discipline".

What are some alternatives to saying "was brought up"?

Alternatives include "was raised", "was nurtured", or "was educated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was bring up" instead of "was brought up"?

No, "was bring up" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was brought up", which uses the past participle of the verb "bring".

What's the difference between "was brought up" and "grew up"?

"Was brought up" focuses more on the influences and values instilled during childhood, while "grew up" simply refers to the place or environment where someone matured. Although you can say for example "I "grew up" in Rome", saying "I "was brought up" in Rome" is also grammatically correct.