was compatible with

USAGE SUMMARY

"was compatible with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the compatibility of two or more objects or ideas. Example: The software was compatible with my computer's operating system.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, the model was compatible with experimental results outlined above.

Electrochimica Acta

The predicted data was compatible with the experimental data.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

President Jacques Chirac responded with an announcement that Turkey's candidacy was compatible with "France's national interests".

The New York Times

It also asked for evidence the legislation was compatible with rights to privacy.

The Guardian

The union's farm commissioner, Franz Fischler, said it was compatible with world trade rules.

The New York Times

Nixon, however, actually went to China: the visit was compatible with his world view.

The New Yorker

Samsung said the drive was compatible with any editing and burning software on the market today.

The New York Times - Tech

The court said the town zoning was "compatible with commercial and retail development along Route 58".

The New York Times

And the RCA colour system was compatible with existing black-and-white sets.

Britannica

The vice president of Microsoft's hardware division wanted to create something that was compatible with Windows.

Harvard Business Review

From this experience and a desire to have a job that was compatible with family life, Lemongrove was born.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was compatible with" to suggest that two elements can coexist or function together without conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "was compatible with" to describe subjects that inherently cannot be compatible. For example, saying 'The color red was compatible with the concept of justice' doesn't make sense. Ensure that the subjects being compared have a logical basis for compatibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was compatible with" functions as an adjectival phrase acting as a predicate adjective. It describes the state of a subject in relation to another element, indicating that they could coexist or function together effectively in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

37%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was compatible with" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the past state of interoperability or harmonious coexistence between entities. Ludwig's extensive examples show its prevalence across science, news, and academic contexts. While the phrase can be used in various registers, it's essential to ensure the subjects being compared have a logical basis for compatibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistent with

Implies a logical agreement or absence of contradiction.

aligned with

Focuses on agreement or correspondence, suggesting a directional similarity.

congruent with

Implies a similarity of form or a harmonious relationship.

harmonized with

Emphasizes a pleasing or congruent relationship, especially suitable in contexts involving processes or systems.

in agreement with

Stresses a state of mutual understanding or consensus.

suited to

Highlights appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation.

matched with

Emphasizes a precise correspondence or pairing.

coordinated with

Highlights the effective organization and collaboration between elements.

in accordance with

Suggests adherence to rules, standards, or principles.

adapted to

Indicates a modification to fit specific requirements or conditions.

FAQs

How do I use "was compatible with" in a sentence?

Use "was compatible with" to indicate that something could coexist or function well with something else. For example, "The new software "was compatible with" the existing hardware".

What can I say instead of "was compatible with"?

You can use alternatives like "aligned with", "consistent with", or "suited to" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "was compatible with" and "is compatible with"?

"Was compatible with" refers to a past state of compatibility, while "is compatible with" refers to a present state. For example, "The device "was compatible with" the old system, but it is not anymore" indicates a change over time.

When is it appropriate to use "was compatible with" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when describing technical specifications, historical events where compatibility was a factor, or in scientific contexts when discussing experimental results. The phrase indicates a state of agreement or functionality that existed at a specific time.