was expressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was expressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was communicated or conveyed in the past. Example: "The sentiment of gratitude was expressed during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No such dismay was expressed.

The New Yorker

Yet no opposition was expressed.

The Guardian

My view was expressed here and here.

The New York Times

RIP3 was expressed in most CCA tissues.

Nature

Much relief was expressed on social media.

The Washington Post

All data was expressed as means ± SD.

Nature

SynNF1 was expressed and purified as described33.

Nature

That sentiment was expressed repeatedly today.

The New York Times - Sports

The apology was expressed in broad terms.

The New York Times

N16 was expressed in inclusion bodies.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

In contrast, CYP4V4 mRNA was expressed ubiquitously.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if an active voice construction might be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Concern was expressed", try "They expressed concern".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "was expressed", as it can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Vary your sentence structure with active voice for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was expressed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (an idea, feeling, or opinion) was communicated or conveyed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. The auxiliary verb "was" links the subject to the verb "expressed", which describes the action performed upon the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was expressed" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that something was communicated. As verified by Ludwig AI, this phrase finds frequent use in diverse contexts like science, news, and academia. While versatile, consider employing active voice for directness. Remember, "was expressed" suits neutral and formal contexts. For subtle nuances, explore alternatives like "was conveyed" or "was articulated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was communicated

Replaces "expressed" with a more general term for conveying information.

was conveyed

Similar to "communicated", but often implies a more subtle or indirect transmission.

was articulated

Suggests a clear and precise way of expressing something, often verbally.

was voiced

Specifically refers to expressing something verbally.

was shown

A more direct and simple way of indicating that something was made visible or apparent.

was revealed

Indicates that something previously hidden became known or visible.

was indicated

Implies a less direct or explicit form of communication or signaling.

was demonstrated

Focuses on showing something through action or evidence, rather than words.

was manifested

Emphasizes the appearance or embodiment of something abstract.

was reflected

Suggests that something is mirrored or represented in something else.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was expressed" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "they expressed", "he voiced", or "she articulated" depending on the context and who is doing the expressing.

What is a synonym for "was expressed" that implies a subtle communication?

Alternatives like "was conveyed" or "was indicated" suggest a less direct way of communication than "was expressed".

How does "was expressed" differ from "was demonstrated"?

"Was expressed" typically refers to verbal or written communication, while "was demonstrated" implies showing something through actions or evidence.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was expressed" in formal writing?

Yes, "was expressed" is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal writing, but consider whether an active voice construction might be more effective for directness and impact. However, remember to consider the register of the text.