was detected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was detected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something was found, discovered, observed, or identified. For example: "A small error was detected in the document."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somehow I was detected.

The Guardian - Opinion

No pollution was detected.

The Guardian

No Ia was detected.

Nature

No difference was detected.

Britannica

No inhibition was detected.

Nature

No smoke was detected.

The Economist

But no virus was detected.

The New York Times - Health

ULK1 was detected in IPs.

Nature

No oligomer was detected.

Biomaterials

Surface roughness was detected.

Surface and Coatings Technology

No signal from the fourth was detected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was detected" in passive voice constructions when the actor performing the detection is unknown, unimportant, or you want to emphasize the object being detected.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "was detected" in situations where active voice would be more direct and engaging. Excessive passive voice can make writing sound vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was detected" serves as a passive construction, indicating that something has been found or identified. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was detected" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to report the finding or identification of something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various domains, especially science, news, and academia. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's crucial to avoid overuse of passive voice for clear and impactful writing. Consider alternatives like "was identified" or "was discovered" to diversify your language. Remember, the choice between active and passive voice depends on whether you want to emphasize the actor or the object of detection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing or establishing the identity of something.

was discovered

Emphasizes the finding or uncovering of something previously unknown.

was found

A more general term for locating something, without necessarily implying a deliberate search.

was observed

Suggests a careful or scientific examination leading to the finding.

was noticed

Implies that something became apparent through observation.

was revealed

Highlights the uncovering of something previously hidden or obscure.

showed up

Indicates the presence of something that became apparent or noticeable.

was ascertained

Suggests establishing something with certainty, often through investigation.

came to light

Indicates that something became known or public.

turned up

Informal way of saying something was found, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

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

You can use "was detected" to indicate that something has been found or identified. For example, "A small error was detected in the code" or "An unusual signal was detected by the sensor".

What can I say instead of "was detected"?

You can use alternatives like "was identified", "was discovered", or "was found" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was detected"?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context. Use passive voice when the actor is unknown or unimportant (e.g., "The anomaly was detected"). Use active voice when you want to emphasize the actor (e.g., "The sensor detected the anomaly").

What's the difference between "was detected" and "was observed"?

"Was detected" implies that something was found, possibly through a specific method or technology. "Was observed" suggests that something was noticed or witnessed, often visually. For instance, "The chemical was detected using mass spectrometry," versus "The reaction was observed in the test tube".