was ever built

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was ever built" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been constructed at any point in time, often in a rhetorical or historical context. Example: "The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive structures that was ever built in human history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

In fact, no "resort" was ever built.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only one tower was ever built.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is unclear if the small base was ever built.

The New York Times

Neither of these visionary constructions was ever built.

The Guardian - Arts

Curiously, the area is known as Castello, although no castle was ever built here.

Independent

But none was ever built because maintaining a vacuum in a long tunnel is difficult.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Neither were ever built.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only 51 were ever built.

The New York Times

Only a handful were ever built.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Only 31 were ever built," he said quietly.

The New York Times

For various reasons, it did not catch on; fewer than 25 were ever built.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was ever built" to emphasize that something was constructed at any time in the past, especially when highlighting its historical significance or the challenges involved in its creation.

Common error

Avoid using "was ever built" when referring to ongoing or future construction projects. This phrase is best suited for completed projects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was ever built" functions as a passive voice construction, typically used within a clause to describe something brought into existence through construction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was ever built" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe completed construction projects. As Ludwig AI validates, its primary function is to emphasize the historical context and completion of a building or construction, applicable across various registers but most prevalent in News & Media. When writing, consider alternatives like "was constructed" or "has ever been built" for nuanced emphasis and ensure the project you are talking about is actually completed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has ever been constructed

Adds emphasis on the continuous relevance or impact over time.

was constructed

Focuses specifically on the act of building or assembling something.

has ever been created

Like "was created" but emphasizes the relevance over time.

was created

Highlights the act of bringing something into existence, not necessarily through physical construction.

was erected

Implies a formal or monumental construction.

was fabricated

Suggests manufacturing or assembly from components.

was assembled

Emphasizes the joining of parts to form a whole.

was manufactured

Highlights production in a factory or on a large scale.

was formed

Indicates the creation of something through a natural or artificial process.

saw construction

More formal alternative, rephrasing from passive to active voice.

FAQs

How can I use "was ever built" in a sentence?

Use "was ever built" to describe something that has been constructed at any point in the past, for example: "The Roman aqueducts are among the most impressive feats of engineering that "was ever built"."

What can I say instead of "was ever built"?

You can use alternatives like "was constructed", "was created", or "has ever been constructed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was ever built" or "has ever been built"?

Both "was ever built" and "has ever been built" are grammatically correct. "Was ever built" refers to a specific point in the past, while "has ever been built" implies a period from the past to the present. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What’s the difference between "was ever built" and "saw construction"?

"Was ever built" is a passive construction emphasizing the object, while "saw construction" is an active construction emphasizing the process or period during which something was built. For example, "The bridge "was ever built" to connect the two cities," versus, "The city saw construction of a new bridge."