was exposed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was exposed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has been revealed or uncovered. For example, "The President's secret plan was exposed by a whistleblower."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And she was exposed".

The New Yorker

That was exposed in Bangladesh.

The Economist

Jean's corpse was exposed.

The Guardian - Opinion

There, he was exposed to khoomei.

The New York Times - Arts

The sample was exposed to the beam.

The New Yorker

A rogue trader was exposed in London.

The New York Times

He was exposed early to tools.

The New Yorker

The video was exposed as a fake.

The New York Times

The Party's hypocrisy was exposed.

The New Yorker

My left side was exposed.

The New York Times

My BlackBerry was exposed as a CrapBerry.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was exposed" to describe situations where something previously hidden, secret, or unknown has become visible or public. For instance, "The company's fraudulent activities were exposed by a whistleblower."

Common error

Avoid using "was exposed" excessively in passive voice, as it can make your writing sound weak. Consider active voice alternatives for a more direct and impactful style. Instead of "The problem was exposed by the investigation", try "The investigation exposed the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was exposed" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject underwent the action of being revealed or subjected to something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was exposed" is a versatile passive verb phrase widely used to indicate that something has been revealed, uncovered, or subjected to a particular condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. While primarily found in News & Media and Science sources, it's important to avoid overuse in passive constructions for stronger writing. Consider alternatives like "was revealed" or "was uncovered" to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was revealed

Focuses on the act of making something known that was previously hidden.

was discovered

Highlights the finding of something previously unknown or unnoticed.

was uncovered

Emphasizes the discovery of something previously concealed.

was disclosed

Implies the release of confidential or sensitive information.

was made visible

Focuses on the act of becoming able to be seen.

was subjected to

Highlights the experience of undergoing or being affected by something.

was brought to light

Stresses the act of making something public or known.

was identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or establishing something.

was unveiled

Suggests a formal or ceremonial revealing of something.

was laid bare

Emphasizes the complete and often harsh revealing of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "was exposed" to indicate that something previously hidden or unknown has been revealed. For example, "The company's data breach "was exposed" to the public."

What are some alternatives to "was exposed"?

Alternatives to "was exposed" include phrases like "was revealed", "was uncovered", or "was disclosed", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was exposed" or "has been exposed"?

Both "was exposed" and "has been exposed" are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Was exposed" refers to a past event, while "has been exposed" implies a past event with continuing relevance to the present.

What does it mean when something "was exposed"?

When something "was exposed", it means that it was revealed, uncovered, or made public after being previously hidden or unknown. It can also mean that something was subjected to a particular condition or influence.