was dispensed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was dispensed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is distributed, given out, or provided, often referring to a service or product. Example: "The medication was dispensed to the patients after their consultation with the doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No advice was dispensed.

The New Yorker

Democracy was dispensed with.

The Economist

Liquid soap was dispensed directly into the shower's water line.

The New York Times - Magazine

And the protocol was dispensed with for another election night.

The New York Times

As soon as he felt a player was threatening that control he was dispensed with ruthlessly.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1842, he staged "ether frolics," riotous parties where the chemical was dispensed.

The New York Times - Books

They said that 75percentt of that was dispensed under prescriptions from Dr. Jones.

The New York Times

Ministers have been impressed with the speed with which justice was dispensed after August's riots.

The Guardian

And Coronation Street star Amanda Barrie was none too pleased, either, when she was dispensed with.

The Guardian

At some evenings as much as £240,000 was dispensed in front of victims.

Independent

Notably, the idea of proper and improper times for applause was dispensed with.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was dispensed", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being distributed or provided, and to whom. For example, "The medicine was dispensed to the patients" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was dispensed" in situations where a more direct verb like "gave" or "provided" would be clearer and more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was dispensed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was given out or distributed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable structure in written English, often referring to the provision of a service or product.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was dispensed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase signifying the act of distributing or providing something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's commonly employed in scientific, news, and formal contexts to describe actions like distributing medication, advice, or justice. While versatile, it's important to consider whether a more direct verb might be more appropriate in certain situations. Alternatives like "was administered" or "was provided" can offer subtle differences in meaning. As a general recommendation, ensure the context clarifies what and to whom something "was dispensed" for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was administered

Focuses on the formal act of giving or applying something, often medication or treatment.

was distributed

Emphasizes the act of spreading something out among a group.

was provided

Highlights the act of making something available or supplying a need.

was issued

Implies a formal release or delivery of something.

was allocated

Suggests that something has been assigned or portioned out for a specific purpose.

was supplied

Similar to 'provided', but can imply a more ongoing or regular provision.

was granted

Indicates that something was formally given or allowed.

was furnished

Emphasizes the act of equipping or providing something necessary.

was served

Suggests something was provided as a service or function.

was handed out

A more informal way of saying something was distributed, often manually.

FAQs

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

Use "was dispensed" to describe the act of distributing or providing something, such as medication, advice, or justice. For example, "The medication "was dispensed" by the nurse".

What are some alternatives to "was dispensed"?

You can use alternatives like "was administered", "was distributed", or "was provided" depending on the context. Each alternative has a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "advice was dispensed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "advice "was dispensed"". It means that someone gave or offered advice. It is a valid, though potentially formal, usage.

What's the difference between "was dispensed" and "was administered"?

"Was dispensed" generally refers to the act of distributing something, while "was administered" often implies a more formal or controlled application, particularly in medical or legal contexts. For example, medicine might be dispensed, while a test might be administered.