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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

was done manually

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was done manually" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used when speaking about an action or process that was performed without the help of machines or computers, such as when talking about a job that was done by hand. For example, you could say "The collection of data was done manually, requiring days of work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This sensitivity study was done manually.

Sowing was done manually by broadcast.

Shortening the high-frequency word list was done manually.

This was done manually until the mixture becomes uniform.

"Everything was done manually, and operations were fragmented," he says.

News & Media

Forbes

Quantification was done manually by tracing the whole kidney cortex for the radioactivity density (counts/mm2).

The foam removal was done manually by means of water flushing.

In this experiment, if the face was not cropped well, it was done manually.

Annotation of unintelligible words was done manually by three listeners for each conversation.

The seedlings were watered once daily with equal volume of water and weeding was done manually.

Weeding was done manually with hoe to keep the fields free from weeds.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the labor-intensive nature of a process, use "was done manually" to contrast it with automated methods. This highlights the effort and resources required.

Common error

Avoid using "was done manually" when the manual nature of the task is already obvious. Instead, focus on the implications or results of the manual process.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was done manually" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action was performed by a person without automated assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was done manually" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a task performed without automation, as verified by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it emphasizes effort and human skill, contrasting with automated alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants highlighting the manual nature of the task. Alternatives include phrases like "was performed by hand" and "required manual intervention".

FAQs

What does "was done manually" mean?

The phrase "was done manually" means that a task or process was completed by a person without the use of automated equipment or machinery.

When should I use the phrase "was done manually"?

Use "was done manually" when you want to emphasize that a task required human effort and skill, especially in contrast to automated methods. This can highlight the labor-intensive nature or the unique qualities of the process.

What are some alternatives to "was done manually"?

You can use alternatives like "was performed by hand", "was executed manually", or "required manual intervention" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "was done manually"?

It can be redundant if the context already implies that the task is manual. However, it's useful when comparing a manual process to an automated one or highlighting the effort involved. Consider whether the manual aspect adds important information.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: