was given up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was given up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was surrendered, abandoned, or relinquished in the past. Example: "After years of trying to fix the old car, he finally accepted that it was given up for good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The child was given up for adoption.

The Guardian

The baby was given up for adoption.

The Guardian

The place was given up to gloom.

The New Yorker

(It is less clear why her sister was given up).

The New York Times

How her grandmother was given up for adoption.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The fourth-rounder was given up for Campbell, who now becomes expendable.

The New York Times - Sports

Senator Abraham was given up for dead before this race began.

The New York Times

She was 13 when pregnant with me and I was given up for adoption.

The Guardian - Music

Not two years ago it was given up for dead, the causes by now well known.

The New York Times

(It's the reason Heidi was given up: her mother was trying to protect her).

The New York Times

A quarter of a century ago, it was given up for dead.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was given up" to describe something abandoned, ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the giving up. For example, "The search was given up after three days" clarifies that search efforts were abandoned.

Common error

Avoid using "was given up" when an active voice would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The project was given up by the team", consider "The team abandoned the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given up" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that something or someone was relinquished, abandoned, or surrendered by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was given up" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction that indicates relinquishment or abandonment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a broad range of contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While alternatives like "was abandoned" or "was relinquished" exist, "was given up" remains a clear and direct way to convey the idea that something has been surrendered. When writing, ensure the context clearly identifies what or who did the giving up for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was abandoned

Focuses on the act of deserting or leaving something behind, implying a lack of intent to return.

was relinquished

Emphasizes the formal act of surrendering a right or possession.

was surrendered

Highlights the act of yielding or giving in, often under pressure or duress.

was forfeited

Implies a loss due to a rule violation or a failure to meet an obligation.

was sacrificed

Suggests giving something up for a greater cause or purpose, implying a sense of loss.

was yielded

Indicates a giving way or submission, often in response to force or persuasion.

was ceded

Refers to formally surrendering territory or rights to another party.

was waived

Means to voluntarily give up a right or claim.

was renounced

Involves a formal declaration of abandonment or rejection of a belief or claim.

was discarded

Implies throwing something away because it is no longer useful or desirable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was given up" indicates something was surrendered or abandoned. For example, "The search "was given up" after days of fruitless searching" or "He "was given up" for adoption as an infant".

What can I say instead of "was given up"?

You can use alternatives like "was abandoned", "was relinquished", or "was surrendered" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was given up on" instead of "was given up"?

While "was given up" and "was given up on" can both be correct, they have slightly different meanings. "Was given up" generally means something was abandoned, while "was given up on" typically refers to losing hope in someone or something. For example, "He "was given up" for adoption" versus "The project "was given up on" due to lack of funding".

What's the difference between "was given up" and "was surrendered"?

"Was given up" is a more general term for abandoning something, while "was surrendered" often implies yielding something, possibly under pressure or to an opposing force. The phrases are very interchangeable, but it depends on the contexts.