was enlarged

USAGE SUMMARY

"was enlarged" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has increased in size. Example: After the renovation, the kitchen was enlarged.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of the music was enlarged too.

The New York Times - Arts

The opening was enlarged after marriage.

The Guardian

The rental plaza was enlarged and remodeled.

The New York Times - Travel

Tells how it was enlarged, shipped, & installed.

The New Yorker

The auditorium was enlarged from 750 seats to 812 seats.

The New York Times

It was enlarged in the 1970s and reopened in 1981.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1536, under Henry VIII, the county was enlarged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was enlarged and republished in 1695 by Peder Syv.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the years it was enlarged twice and ultimately had room for huge modern barges.

The New York Times - Travel

A thumbnail was enlarged and printed to give the carpet the effect of "bad" printing.

The New Yorker

"My appreciation of life in Delft" was enlarged by reading the novel, she added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is crucial, such as in scientific or technical writing, ensure that using "was enlarged" accurately reflects the type and extent of the size increase.

Common error

Avoid using "was enlarged" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and clear. For instance, instead of "The photo was enlarged by the editor", consider "The editor enlarged the photo" for a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was enlarged" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject underwent an action that increased its size. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used across various domains, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was enlarged" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe something that has increased in size. Ludwig's analysis shows that this phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific literature and encyclopedias. The phrase tends to have a neutral register and conveys factual information about changes in size or scale. Considering the context and audience is important when deciding whether to use active or passive voice, but in general, according to Ludwig AI, "was enlarged" is a reliable and versatile option for describing size increases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was expanded

Replaces "enlarged" with a synonym, keeping the same passive voice and meaning.

was increased

Similar to "expanded", focuses on the quantitative aspect of becoming larger.

was augmented

Implies an addition that enhances the existing entity, making it greater.

was extended

Suggests a lengthening or widening, often in a spatial sense.

was amplified

Emphasizes a considerable increase, often used metaphorically.

was broadened

Implies an increase in scope or range, rather than physical size.

was magnified

Suggests making something appear larger, often through optical means or exaggeration.

was blown up

More informal, can suggest a dramatic increase in size or importance.

grew larger

Active voice version, indicating the subject itself increased in size.

became bigger

Simple and direct way of saying something increased in size.

FAQs

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

"Was enlarged" indicates that something has been made bigger. For example, "The photo "was enlarged" to reveal more details".

What are some alternatives to "was enlarged"?

Alternatives include "was expanded", "was increased", or "grew larger" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "enlarge"?

It depends on the focus. Use active voice (e.g., "They enlarged the image") when the actor is important. Use passive voice ("The image "was enlarged"") when the action or object is more important.

What's the difference between "was enlarged" and "became enlarged"?

"Was enlarged" typically implies an external action caused the increase in size. "Became enlarged" suggests a more gradual or internal process leading to the increase.