was disabled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was disabled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was turned off, deactivated, or rendered inoperative in the past. Example: "The feature was disabled due to security concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The account was disabled.

The New York Times

(Klinghoffer was disabled, and used a wheelchair).

The Guardian - Music

(Because she was disabled, she needed a specialized placement).

The New York Times

A woman with bound feet was disabled, though not utterly.

The New Yorker

Did I enjoy his achievement more because he was disabled?

The Guardian - Opinion

The daily's printing press was disabled last week.

The Guardian

I was disabled, set apart, greatly blessed by very bad asthma.

The Guardian - Books

He knew he was disabled BEFORE he got on the plane.

Independent

Companies began chasing a drug to restore p53 in cells where it was disabled by mutations.

The New York Times - Health

I wanted to play by the rules, not rules adapted for me because I was disabled".

The New York Times - Sports

My brother was disabled and I lost my father to AIDS in 1987.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was disabled", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who was disabled and the reason, if relevant. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was disabled" without clearly specifying what the subject is. For example, instead of "It was disabled", specify "The alarm system was disabled" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was disabled" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something or someone underwent an action that resulted in a state of being unable to function or operate. As per Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was disabled" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something or someone was made unable to function, whether temporarily or permanently. Examples from Ludwig AI reveal its frequent use in contexts ranging from news reports and scientific papers to general descriptions. It's important to use the phrase with a clear subject for maximum clarity, and to choose it over alternatives like "was deactivated" or "became inoperative" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While suitable for neutral contexts, its register avoids excessive formality or informality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deactivated

Highlights the action of deactivation.

was shut down

Focuses on the process of being turned off.

became inoperative

Focuses on the functionality ceasing.

became non-functional

Highlights the loss of functional capabilities.

was incapacitated

Implies a loss of ability or power.

was rendered unusable

Emphasizes the state of being unfit for use.

was put out of action

Suggests a more forceful or deliberate removal from service.

was rendered powerless

Emphasizes a loss of power or control.

ceased to function

States a complete stop in functionality.

went offline

Commonly used for electronic systems or features.

FAQs

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

Use "was disabled" to indicate that something was rendered inoperative or unable to function. For example, "The security system "was disabled" after the code was entered".

What's a good alternative to "was disabled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was deactivated", "became inoperative", or "was shut down".

Which is correct, "was disabled" or "is disabled"?

"Was disabled" indicates a past state, while "is disabled" indicates a present state. Choose the form that matches the time frame you're referring to.

What is the difference between "was disabled" and "was incapacitated"?

"Was disabled" often refers to a function or feature being turned off, while "was incapacitated" usually refers to a person or entity being unable to function effectively due to injury or some other impairment.