was dismissed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was dismissed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a past action where someone or something is removed or rejected. Example: After failing to meet the company's performance standards, John was dismissed from his job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The writ was dismissed.

Cornell University

That petition was dismissed.

Cornell University

She was dismissed.

The New York Times

(This case was dismissed).

The New York Times

He was dismissed.

The New York Times

The janitor was dismissed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Several have been dismissed.

The Economist

He has been dismissed.

The New York Times

His protests were dismissed.

The Economist

The charges were dismissed.

The New York Times

Form letters were dismissed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was dismissed" in situations where a formal decision has been made to reject or terminate something, be it a case, an employee, or an idea.

Common error

Avoid using "was dismissed" in casual conversation. Opt for more informal alternatives like "rejected" or "ignored" when communicating with friends and family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was dismissed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being dismissed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in legal, professional, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was dismissed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to convey the formal rejection or termination of something, as shown by Ludwig's numerous examples across news, academic, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, it is most appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, with alternatives available for more casual settings. Its authoritative usage is demonstrated through top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was rejected

Indicates a formal refusal or non-acceptance of something.

was terminated

Specifically implies the ending of employment or a formal agreement.

was discharged

Often used in legal or medical contexts, implying release or dismissal from a duty or institution.

was overruled

Primarily used in legal settings, meaning a previous decision was reversed.

was invalidated

Implies that something was proven to be without legal or factual basis.

was cast aside

Suggests a less formal, often dismissive, form of rejection.

was given the sack

An informal way of saying someone was fired from their job.

was laid off

Indicates a temporary or permanent termination of employment due to business conditions.

was brushed aside

Suggests that something was ignored or treated as unimportant.

was disregarded

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or not consider something.

FAQs

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

You can use "was dismissed" to indicate that something was rejected or terminated. For example: "The case "was dismissed" due to lack of evidence."

What are some alternatives to "was dismissed"?

Alternatives include "was rejected", "was terminated", or "was overruled", depending on the context.

Is "was dismissed" formal or informal?

"Was dismissed" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. It's less appropriate for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "was dismissed" and "was rejected"?

While both imply non-acceptance, "was dismissed" often suggests a more formal process or decision, whereas "was rejected" can be more general. A proposal might be rejected, but a court case would be dismissed.