was curtailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was curtailed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was reduced, limited, or shortened in extent or duration. Example: "The event was curtailed due to unforeseen circumstances, leading to an early conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Statewide delivery was curtailed.

The New York Times

Chemical dumping was curtailed.

The New York Times

The number of defence witnesses was curtailed.

The Economist

The influence of party leaders was curtailed.

The New York Times

His chaotic administration was curtailed by his arrest for corruption.

The Economist

"When she married a politician, her freedom was curtailed.

The New York Times - Books

The previous year it was curtailed by fog.

The Economist

Unionised industries declined, and union power was curtailed through legislation.

The Guardian

In 1982 the number was curtailed to about 20.

The New York Times - Travel

ITV offered Adele its apologies after her speech was curtailed.

The Guardian - Music

His visit was curtailed because the slop jar in his room became full to overflowing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact or give the reader more information, clarify by whom or what something "was curtailed". For instance, "Her speaking time was curtailed by the moderator" adds clarity. The sentence is more vague if you simply state that "Her speaking time was curtailed".

Common error

Avoid using "was curtailed" without a clear understanding of passive voice. Ensure the subject receiving the action is clearly identified or implied within the context. Omitting this can lead to ambiguity and weaken the sentence's clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was curtailed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that something has been acted upon, resulting in a reduction or limitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and widely used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was curtailed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates a reduction, limitation, or shortening of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase found in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using "was curtailed", ensure clarity by specifying what or who caused the curtailment and avoid ambiguity by clarifying the subject in the context. Consider alternatives such as "was limited" or "was reduced" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was limited

Indicates a restriction or constraint placed on something, focusing on setting boundaries.

was reduced

Emphasizes a decrease in quantity, size, or extent, highlighting the diminished aspect.

was restricted

Highlights the imposition of rules or regulations that confine something, suggesting a formal limitation.

was shortened

Focuses on a decrease in length or duration, implying a temporal or spatial reduction.

was cut short

Suggests an abrupt or premature termination, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

was diminished

Indicates a reduction in importance, value, or quality, highlighting the weakened state.

was impeded

Focuses on the hindering or obstruction of progress or action, suggesting a delay or difficulty.

was hampered

Similar to 'impeded', it emphasizes the creation of obstacles that slow down or prevent progress.

was suppressed

Suggests the forceful prevention or cessation of something, implying a deliberate act of control.

was checked

Highlights the act of bringing something under control or stopping its progress, often implying a preventative measure.

FAQs

How can I use "was curtailed" in a sentence?

Use "was curtailed" to indicate that something has been reduced, limited, or cut short. For example: "The budget /s/was+curtailed due to economic downturns."

What are some alternatives to saying "was curtailed"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "was limited", "was reduced", or "was cut short" as alternatives to "was curtailed".

What's the difference between "was curtailed" and "was restricted"?

"Was curtailed" suggests a shortening or reduction in extent or duration, while "was restricted" implies that limits or rules were placed on something. The former focuses on a decrease, and the latter on imposed boundaries.

Is it better to use "was curtailed" or "curtailed"?

Using "was curtailed" employs the passive voice, indicating that something was acted upon. Using simply "curtailed" requires a subject performing the action and using the active voice, such as "The organization curtailed the program". The better option depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the actor.