was given back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was given back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was returned to its original owner or place. Example: "After the investigation, the stolen artwork was given back to the museum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His passport was given back to him.

The New York Times

The deal complete, Mr. Ghorzang was given back his pistol.

The New York Times

It was given back to PS, by his estate, after his death.

Cornell University

He was given back his committee chairmanship, along with its $12,500 annual stipend.

The New York Times

Citing advice he was given back then, he added: "First they try to buy you.

The New York Times

The accident site, in the middle of Bhopal, was given back to the state government.

The New York Times

But he was given back the starting job late in the season.

The New York Times - Sports

This afternoon, after lobbying by American officials in Cuba, the family was given back their documents.

The New York Times

I was given back my life -- the greatest gift -- and now I want to give.

The New York Times

"He should have known that she would either be killed or injured when she was given back".

The New York Times

The British taxpayers still wouldn't notice it in their purses if £34m was given back to them, I suggested.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was given back" when you want to emphasize the act of returning something to its previous owner or state. It's especially suitable when the return is a result of a decision or action by someone else.

Common error

While "was given back" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice. In some cases, using an active voice construction can make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The book was given back to her by the librarian", consider "The librarian gave her back the book".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given back" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received something that they previously owned or possessed. The use of the passive voice emphasizes the receiver of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was given back" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies the return of something to its original owner or condition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is widely applicable across various contexts, predominantly in news media and academic writing. While alternatives like "was returned" and "was restored" exist, "was given back" is particularly suitable when emphasizing the action or decision that led to the return. Writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider active voice constructions for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was returned

Replaces "given back" with a single, more direct verb.

was restored

Suggests a return to a previous condition or state, rather than a simple return.

was handed back

Emphasizes the action of physically returning something.

was relinquished

Suggests a more formal or official return of something.

was reinstated

Implies a return to a former position or status.

was ceded

Implies a transfer of control or ownership back to someone.

was retrieved

Focuses on the act of getting something back after it was lost or taken.

was refunded

Specifically refers to the return of money.

was reimbursed

Similar to refunded, but often used when compensating for expenses.

was reconveyed

Suggests a formal or legal return of property.

FAQs

How can I use "was given back" in a sentence?

The phrase "was given back" is used to describe an action where something is returned to a previous owner or state. For example, "The stolen painting "was given back" to the museum after the thief was caught".

What are some alternatives to "was given back"?

Alternatives include "was returned", "was restored", or "was handed back". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was given back"?

Using the active voice can sometimes make your sentence stronger and more direct. Instead of "The prize "was given back"", you could say "They returned the prize".

What's the difference between "was given back" and "was returned"?

"Was returned" is a more straightforward and general term for something being brought back. "Was given back" implies that someone actively facilitated the return; whereas "was returned" is simply referring to an action of bringing back regardless of its intentionality.