was donated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was donated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was given as a gift or contribution, typically in a charitable context. Example: "The old books were donated to the local library to support their reading programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The villa was donated to NYU.

The New Yorker

(The wood was donated by Steinway & Sons).

The New York Times - Arts

A collection of 350 dolls was donated.

The New York Times

Inulin was donated by Orafti, Belgium.

Nature

The lab was donated to SRI International.

The New York Times

Our tent that was donated is gone.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The unused dinner food was donated to a food bank).

The New York Times

It was donated to the museum after filming was completed.

The New York Times

It was donated by direct descendants of the Patteshalls.

The New York Times - Arts

The Karmapa told police the money was donated by supporters.

Independent

The sperm was donated more than 20 years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. "Was donated" is suitable for most contexts, but in more formal settings, "was contributed" or "was bequeathed" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "was donated" without specifying the recipient or purpose. This can leave the reader wondering about the context and significance of the donation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was donated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something received a donation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound. It highlights that an object or resource underwent the action of being given to someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

28%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was donated" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something has been given as a gift or contribution. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase is generally neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using "was donated", ensure clarity by specifying what was donated and to whom. Consider alternatives like "was given" or "was contributed" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given

Emphasizes the act of giving something without specifying the intention behind it.

was contributed

Highlights the idea of providing something to a common cause or project.

was granted

Suggests a formal transfer of something, often with official approval.

was presented

Focuses on the act of formally offering or awarding something.

was bestowed

Implies a formal or ceremonial conferral of something, often honor or privilege.

was bequeathed

Specifically refers to something given in a will after someone's death.

was offered

Focuses on the act of making something available to someone.

was furnished

Implies providing something necessary or useful.

was supplied

Suggests providing something needed, often in a regular or ongoing manner.

was awarded

Highlights the formal recognition through the act of giving.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was donated" is used to indicate that something was given as a gift or contribution. For example, "The painting "was donated" to the museum by a private collector".

What are some alternatives to "was donated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was given", "was contributed", or "was presented".

Is it correct to say "has been donated" instead of "was donated"?

Both "has been donated" and "was donated" can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was donated" refers to a completed action in the past, while "has been donated" implies that the action has relevance to the present. For example, "The money "was donated" last year", vs "The money "has been donated" to help build the new hospital wing".

What's the difference between "was donated" and "was sponsored"?

"Was donated" indicates that something was given freely, while "was sponsored" implies that financial or other support was provided in exchange for recognition or advertising. For example, "The equipment "was donated" by alumni", vs "The event "was sponsored" by a local business".