was discarded

USAGE SUMMARY

"was discarded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has been thrown away or no longer used. For example, "The broken chair was discarded and replaced with a newer model."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any precipitate was discarded.

Nature

Tax law was discarded overnight.

The New York Times

What didn't fit was discarded.

The Economist

Afterwards, the supernatant was discarded.

Nature

The old soundtrack was discarded.

The New York Times - Arts

Second-degree murder was discarded first.

The New York Times

There her original Icelandic name was discarded.

The New York Times - Books

But that model was discarded long ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

Beside her on seat was discarded newspaper.

The New Yorker

"If it wasn't it was discarded".

The New York Times

"A beautiful napkin was discarded," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was discarded" to clearly indicate that something has been thrown away or is no longer in use, especially when emphasizing the action itself rather than the reason for disposal.

Common error

Avoid using "was discarded" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The manager felt that the proposal was discarded", consider "The manager felt that they discarded the proposal."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was discarded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an object or idea underwent the action of being discarded. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was discarded" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that communicates the act of disposing or rejecting something. It is appropriate for a variety of registers, from formal scientific writing to general news reporting. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability, suggesting it's a reliable choice for indicating that something has been eliminated or thrown away. When writing, ensure the passive voice is the most effective choice, or consider using an active voice alternative for a more direct style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was thrown away

Focuses on the action of physically disposing of something.

was disposed of

A more formal way of saying something was thrown away or eliminated.

was rejected

Emphasizes the act of refusing or not accepting something.

was eliminated

Highlights the removal or eradication of something.

was scrapped

Implies something was deemed useless or beyond repair and then discarded.

was removed

Suggests taking something away from a particular place or position.

was abandoned

Focuses on the act of leaving something behind, often implying neglect.

was superseded

Indicates that something has been replaced by something newer or better.

was written off

Typically used in a financial or accounting context, signifying something is considered a loss.

was shelved

Suggests the item or plan was put on hold indefinitely

FAQs

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

Use "was discarded" to indicate that something has been disposed of or rejected. For example, "The damaged equipment "was discarded" after the inspection."

What are some alternatives to saying "was discarded"?

You can use phrases like "was thrown away", "was rejected", or "was disposed of" as alternatives to "was discarded", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "was discarded" or an active voice equivalent?

While "was discarded" is grammatically correct, using an active voice construction (e.g., "they discarded") can sometimes make your writing more direct and impactful.

What is the difference between "was discarded" and "was abandoned"?

"Was discarded" implies something was intentionally thrown away because it was no longer needed or useful. "Was abandoned" suggests something was left behind, often implying neglect or a lack of care.