was discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something was talked about in the past. For example: "The budget was discussed at the meeting yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was discussed.

The New York Times

It was discussed openly.

The New Yorker

If so, what was discussed?

The New York Times

"Every person's job was discussed".

The New York Times - Arts

If not, what was discussed?

The Guardian

Yesterday internal administration was discussed.

Yale University

but this was discussed earlier.

University of California, Berkeley

"Everything was discussed," Hertz said.

The New York Times - Sports

Do you recall what was discussed?

The New Yorker

Tells what was discussed and by whom.

The New Yorker

What was discussed at this meeting?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was discussed" to maintain a professional tone when the subject performing the action is unknown or unimportant. For example, "The budget proposal was discussed at length."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "was discussed", as it can make your writing sound vague and indirect. Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence to use an active voice for clearer and more engaging writing. For example, instead of "The matter was discussed by the committee", write "The committee discussed the matter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was discussed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a topic or subject received attention and conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for conveying that an action occurred without specifying or emphasizing the actor. Ludwig examples demonstrate its prevalence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was discussed" is a versatile and grammatically correct passive verb phrase commonly used to indicate that a subject or topic has been talked about. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate in various contexts, especially when the focus is on the action rather than the actor. Its neutral register makes it suitable for news, academic, and professional writing. While prevalent, it's important to avoid overusing passive voice to maintain clarity and engagement in writing. Alternatives such as "was addressed" or using an active voice can provide more direct and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was talked about

A more informal and direct alternative, highlighting the act of speaking about something.

was considered

Focuses on the aspect of thinking about or evaluating a topic, rather than just talking.

was addressed

Suggests that attention was given to a particular issue or problem.

came under discussion

Emphasizes the introduction of a topic into a conversation or deliberation.

was examined

Highlights a more thorough investigation or review of a subject.

was reviewed

Implies a formal assessment or evaluation of something.

was touched upon

Indicates that a topic was mentioned briefly, without extensive discussion.

was debated

Suggests a formal discussion with opposing viewpoints.

was negotiated

Specifically refers to discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.

was negotiated

Specifically refers to discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was discussed" to sound more active?

To make your writing more active, consider alternatives like "the committee discussed", "the team addressed", or "they considered", depending on the context. This shifts the focus to the actors involved in the discussion.

Is it always better to avoid passive voice alternatives to "was discussed"?

Not always. Passive voice, as in "was discussed", is useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself. For example, "The issue was discussed thoroughly, regardless of who brought it up."

What are some formal synonyms for "was discussed"?

Formal synonyms include "was addressed", "was examined", or "was considered". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

How does the context affect the choice of using "was discussed" versus other alternatives?

The context dictates the best choice. If you want to highlight the process of talking about something, "was talked about" is suitable. If you want to emphasize a formal review, "was reviewed" is more appropriate. If you want to emphasize a decision or a thinking process on the matter, you may consider using "was considered" instead.