was free from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was free from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone is not affected by or does not contain a particular issue, problem, or condition. Example: "The report confirmed that the product was free from any defects, ensuring its quality and reliability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was free from Ebola!

The Guardian

Yet a map showed the area was free from hazards.

The Guardian

This doesn't mean that Zuckerberg was free from ambition.

The New York Times - Magazine

The speech was free from rhetoric and claims to implement drastic programs immediately.

The New Yorker

When I was onstage, I was free from the problems of my life.

The New Yorker

Not that the evening was free from glitches, slumps, and longueurs.

The New Yorker

At last, I was free from having to feed my hi-fi with CDs.

The Guardian - Tech

And the price was a revelation, too: it was free from the manufacturer.

The New York Times - Style

When he returned to Germany after the war, he was free from all Nazi taint.

The New York Times

The programme had asked whether American beef was free from mad-cow disease.

The Economist

Tucker, who was free from pretension, threw all his energy into making the camp an enchanted place.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was free from" to clearly and concisely indicate the absence of something undesirable or problematic. For example, "The food was free from artificial additives."

Common error

Avoid using "was free from" when you actually mean 'was not affected by' or 'showed resistance to'. "Free from" implies a complete absence, not just a lack of negative effects. For example, don't say "The company was free from the economic downturn" if it experienced some minor setbacks; instead, say "The company was largely unaffected by the economic downturn".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was free from" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it lacks or is not affected by a particular attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was free from" is a grammatically correct and versatile adjectival phrase used to indicate the absence of something undesirable or problematic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its widespread usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, and has a neutral register. While alternatives like "was devoid of" and "was without" exist, it's important to consider the nuances in meaning and formality when choosing the most appropriate phrase. Remember to use it to denote total absence rather than a mitigated presence and that a more formal approach could be useful depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was devoid of

Emphasizes the absence of something, similar to "was free from" but can imply a complete lack.

was without

A simple and direct way of stating the absence of something.

was clear of

Implies a removal or absence of something that was previously present or a potential threat.

did not have

A more general way of stating the absence of something, applicable in a wider range of contexts.

was lacking in

Highlights a deficiency or absence, often suggesting something is missing or incomplete.

exhibited no

More formal and emphasizes the absence of a particular characteristic or symptom.

showed no signs of

Specifically indicates the absence of evidence or indications of something.

was exempt from

Indicates being excused or not subject to something, often a rule or obligation.

was immune to

Suggests a resistance or protection against something, typically a disease or influence.

was untouched by

Emphasizes the lack of influence or impact from something.

FAQs

How can I use "was free from" in a sentence?

You can use "was free from" to indicate the absence of something undesirable. For example, "The final product was free from defects" or "The discussion was free from personal attacks".

What is a more formal way to say "was free from"?

A more formal alternative to "was free from" is "was devoid of". This phrase also emphasizes the absence of something.

Is it correct to say "was free of" instead of "was free from"?

While both "was free of" and "was free from" are grammatically correct, "was free from" is often preferred when discussing abstract concepts or problems. "Was free of" can also be used and is perfectly fine.

What's the difference between "was exempt from" and "was free from"?

"Was exempt from" implies an official or recognized exclusion from a requirement or obligation. "Was free from", on the other hand, simply indicates the absence of something, without necessarily implying a formal exemption. For example, the product "was free from" defects, but it could also "was exempt from" certain taxes.