was distributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was distributed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something was divided or shared among a group of people or things. For example, "The newly printed textbooks were distributed among the students in the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The poster was distributed anyway.

The Economist

"It was distributed to the northern elite".

The New York Times

The card was distributed only in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Their meat was distributed to the poor.

The New Yorker

This article was distributed by Global Viewpoint.

The New York Times

This article was distributed by Agence Global.

The New York Times

Initially it was distributed free at supermarkets.

The New York Times

Then the real meal was distributed.

Yale University

It was distributed on DVDs to circumvent Cuba's censors.

The Guardian

It was unclear how widely the flier was distributed.

The New York Times

Java was distributed free or at little cost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was distributed", ensure the subject clearly indicates what was being divided or shared. For example, "The leaflets were distributed" is clearer than "It was distributed."

Common error

Avoid using "was distributed" without a clear subject. Ensure the sentence specifies what item or resource was distributed to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was distributed" functions as a passive voice verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being distributed. Ludwig confirms this is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was distributed" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of something being shared, allocated, or spread. Ludwig confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it is most prevalent in News & Media and Scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "was distributed" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "was allocated" or "was disseminated" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was allocated

This alternative suggests a more formal or official assignment of resources.

was disseminated

This suggests spreading information widely.

was dispensed

This alternative implies giving out something in portions.

was circulated

This refers to passing something around, often documents or news.

was handed out

This is a more informal way to say something was given to people.

was spread

This implies scattering something over an area.

was apportioned

This alternative emphasizes a fair or proportional division.

was issued

Implies a formal release or provision of something.

was supplied

Indicates that something was provided or furnished.

was shared

This is a general term for dividing or using something jointly.

FAQs

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

Use "was distributed" to describe how something was divided or shared among a group. For example, "The survey "was distributed" to all participants".

What are some alternatives to "was distributed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was allocated", "was disseminated", or "was circulated".

Is it correct to say "was distributed among" or "was distributed to"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was distributed among" is used when dividing something between multiple entities, while "was distributed to" is used when giving something to specific recipients.

What is the difference between "was distributed" and "was dispersed"?

"Was distributed" implies a more organized or controlled sharing, while "was dispersed" suggests scattering in a less organized manner. For example, information "was distributed", while a crowd "was dispersed".