was discontinued

USAGE SUMMARY

"was discontinued" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase means that something has ended or been stopped permanently. For example, "The project was discontinued due to lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The project was discontinued.

Princeton University

Inevitably, that was discontinued.

The Guardian

The bus was discontinued.

The New Yorker

CIRV was discontinued in 2011.

The Guardian

This was discontinued in 1935.

The New Yorker

Coinage was discontinued in 1935.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was discontinued in 2006.

Independent

Potato Facts was discontinued in 1997.

Cornell University

The series was discontinued in 2002.

The New York Times

My contract was discontinued soon after.

The New Yorker

At that time, treatment was discontinued.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was discontinued" when you want to clearly state that something has been permanently stopped, such as a product line, a service, or a treatment. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity about what has been stopped.

Common error

While "was discontinued" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider using the active voice where appropriate. For example, instead of "The product was discontinued", you could write "The company discontinued the product."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was discontinued" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced the action of being stopped or terminated. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was discontinued" serves to indicate the termination of something and finds extensive usage across various domains, especially in scientific literature, news media, and academic writing. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, further validating its grammatical soundness and broad applicability. The linguistic analysis reveals it functions as a passive verb phrase with a neutral register, fitting a wide array of communication needs. While synonyms like "was terminated" or "was ceased" can be used for subtle shifts in formality or emphasis, understanding the nuances of each alternative enriches writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was terminated

Formal alternative, implying a definitive end to something.

was ceased

Indicates that something has stopped or come to an end.

was stopped

A general term indicating that something has been brought to a halt.

was halted

Similar to 'stopped', but often implies a sudden or abrupt cessation.

was abandoned

Suggests that something was left unfinished or unsupported.

was cancelled

Commonly used when referring to events or plans that have been called off.

was suspended

Indicates a temporary cessation, with the possibility of resumption.

was phased out

Suggests a gradual cessation over a period of time.

was decommissioned

Often used in the context of military or industrial equipment that is taken out of service.

was shelved

Suggests that a project or plan has been put on hold indefinitely.

FAQs

How do I use "was discontinued" in a sentence?

The phrase "was discontinued" is used to indicate that something has been stopped or terminated. For example, "The product line was discontinued due to low sales", or "The clinical trial was discontinued because of adverse side effects".

What are some alternatives to "was discontinued"?

You can use alternatives such as "was terminated", "was ceased", "was stopped", or "was halted" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

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

While "was discontinued" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "they discontinued") can often make your writing more direct and concise. The best choice depends on the context and your desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "was discontinued" and "was suspended"?

"Was discontinued" implies a permanent cessation, while "was suspended" suggests a temporary halt with the possibility of resumption in the future.