was drenched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was drenched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been thoroughly soaked with water or another liquid. Example: "After walking in the rain without an umbrella, I was drenched by the time I got home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Within seconds I was drenched.

The Guardian

I was drenched within one minute.

The New York Times

I was drenched within seconds.

The New York Times

Vandenberge was drenched in blood.

The New York Times - Magazine

To her, he was drenched in glamour.

The Guardian

His shirt was drenched in blood.

The Guardian

Chambers was drenched in rain and sweat.

The New York Times - Sports

VENUS WILLIAMS was drenched with sweat.

The New York Times - Sports

He was drenched at the end".

The New York Times

The New York area was drenched again on Monday.

The New York Times

In the end, it was drenched in controversy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a state of being completely wet, consider the context. "Was drenched" implies a thorough soaking, often unexpectedly or intensely.

Common error

Avoid using "was drenched" in contexts where a more nuanced term like "imbued", "filled", or "suffused" would be more appropriate. "Was drenched" is strongest when describing literal wetness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was drenched" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being soaked or saturated. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in describing both literal and figurative situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was drenched" is a commonly used passive verb phrase that describes a state of being thoroughly soaked or saturated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts. While "was soaked" is a close synonym, "was drenched" often implies a sudden or intense soaking. Be mindful of the figurative uses, ensuring that the context warrants the strong imagery of being drenched. Remember that while neutral, the context where "was drenched" is found impacts the writing and its interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was soaked

Similar meaning, focuses on saturation with liquid.

was saturated

Emphasizes the completeness of the wetness or coverage.

was completely wet

More explicit description of being fully wet.

was waterlogged

Specifically implies being excessively saturated with water.

was doused

Focuses on the action of pouring liquid over something.

was thoroughly moistened

A more formal way of expressing being wet.

was imbued with

Figurative sense of being filled or permeated with something.

was steeped in

Suggests being immersed or saturated in a substance or quality.

was swimming in

Hyperbolic way of saying something is covered in liquid.

was awash in

Similar to swimming in, implying abundance or excess.

FAQs

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

Use "was drenched" to describe someone or something that is thoroughly soaked with liquid. For example: "After the sudden downpour, I "was drenched" by the time I reached shelter."

What can I say instead of "was drenched"?

You can use alternatives like "was soaked", "was saturated", or "was completely wet" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was drenched" or "had been drenched"?

"Was drenched" describes a state in the past, while "had been drenched" describes a state that occurred before another point in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the sequence of events.

What's the difference between "was drenched" and "was wet"?

"Was wet" simply indicates the presence of moisture. "Was drenched" implies a more thorough and often sudden or forceful soaking. Something that ""was drenched"" is very wet.