was executed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was executed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate who carried out an action or task, often in contexts related to performance, execution of plans, or legal matters. Example: "The project was executed by the team under tight deadlines, showcasing their efficiency and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In August, Foley was executed by ISIS.

The New Yorker

He said: "He was executed by shooting".

Independent

The bust was executed by Joe Davidson.

The New Yorker

His grandfather was executed by Franco's forces.

The New York Times

He was executed by firing squad.

The Guardian

(Stroop was executed by the Poles after the war).

The New York Times - Arts

This design was executed by an artist named V.

The New Yorker

He was executed by the state of Arkansas in 1995.

The New York Times

Willingham was executed by lethal injection on Feb. 17, 2004.

The New York Times

The following January, Lumumba was executed by the Belgian military.

The New Yorker

Mr. Callins was executed by lethal injection three years later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer strong verbs when possible, but when needing to stress the agent of action, "was executed by" can be effective.

Common error

While "was executed by" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing sentences in active voice for a more direct and impactful style. For example, instead of "The plan was executed by the team", try "The team executed the plan."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was executed by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action was performed by a specific agent. As shown in Ludwig, this construction is commonly used to emphasize the action rather than the actor, or when the actor is already known or less important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was executed by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that an action was performed by a specific entity. As verified by Ludwig AI, it functions as a passive construction and is found across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While effective for emphasizing the action and specifying the agent, writers should be mindful of passive voice overuse and consider active voice alternatives for more direct writing. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was carried out by

Replaces "executed" with "carried out", focusing on the act of performing a task or plan.

was performed by

Substitutes "executed" with "performed", highlighting the completion of an action or task.

was implemented by

Focuses on the act of putting a plan or system into effect by someone.

was accomplished by

Emphasizes the successful completion of something by a specific agent.

was conducted by

Highlights the act of managing or directing something, often an experiment or investigation.

was enacted by

Focuses on the process of making a law or rule operative by a governing body.

was administered by

Emphasizes the management and supervision of something, often a process or system.

was realized by

Highlights how something turns into reality thanks to the action of someone.

was brought about by

Indicates that something happened as a result of someone's actions.

was achieved through

Explains that an entity accomplished a goal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was executed by" to sound more active?

To make your writing more direct, try using the active voice. For example, instead of "The task was executed by the team", you could say "The team executed the task". This puts the emphasis on the performer of the action.

What are some alternatives to "was executed by" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "was carried out by", "was performed by", or "was implemented by" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "was executed by" always the best choice, or are there times to avoid it?

While grammatically correct, "was executed by" can sometimes sound clunky or overly formal. If the agent is not important, you might simply say "The project was executed". If the agent is important, ensure the active voice isn't a stronger, more concise choice.

What's the difference between "was executed by" and "was carried out by"?

Both phrases are similar, but "was carried out by" generally refers to performing a plan or instruction, while "was executed by" can also imply a more forceful or decisive action, such as in legal or military contexts.