was guarded for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was guarded for" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where something was protected or kept safe for a specific purpose or person, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The treasure was guarded for centuries, waiting for the rightful heir to claim it."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kelly was enraged by Dodi's apparent evasiveness, but he was guarded for a reason.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nuclear sites will have to be guarded for millions of years.

The Guardian

"We're afraid, but what more could the government do to protect us?" said Berg. "Our schools and places of worship have already been guarded for the last two years.

The Guardian

MANDAN, N.D. — Homes alongside the Missouri River here have been guarded for months by millions of sandbags, assembled in an urgent and cooperative effort last spring by the National Guard, local governments, residents and other volunteers.

The New York Times

The coordinates of the barge had been guarded for years by the American and island governments.

Huffington Post

The hatchery is guarded for 24 hours a day until the nests hatch".

Vice

6 9 The prognosis is guarded for those with giant aneurysms.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Located behind a gate that is guarded for the children's protection, the centre serves as a temporary shelter for earthquake survivors ranging from 7 to 15 years of age.

Unicef

Yet the conclusion needs to be guarded because for many affected offspring both parents were immigrants, particularly among Turks.

British Journal of Cancer

Territory is guarded and fought for, the weak punished.

Vice

"We have been guarding the stelae for the last 3,000 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was guarded for", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason or duration of the protection. If the reason is unclear, rephrase for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was guarded for" excessively, as it can lead to passive and wordy sentences. Consider using active voice alternatives to create a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

"Was guarded for" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received protection or surveillance for a specified reason or duration. Ludwig examples highlight contexts where something received safeguarding, either physically or conceptually.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was guarded for" indicates something received protection for a reason or time period, but according to Ludwig, it isn't standard English and could be confusing. It is grammatically correct but uncommon, so it is best practice to opt for more direct alternatives like "was protected for" or "was secured for" to improve clarity and tone. Although the phrase appears in various contexts such as news, science, business, and wiki, its infrequent usage suggests careful consideration is needed when choosing this phrasing. When using "was guarded for", prioritize precision to avoid ambiguity and aim for a more direct, active voice where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was protected for

Emphasizes the act of shielding from harm or danger, replacing 'guarded' with a more general term.

was secured for

Highlights the action of making something safe and protected for a particular purpose.

was kept safe for

Focuses on maintaining a condition of safety and security for a particular reason.

was watched over for

Focuses on continuous surveillance and care provided for a specific duration.

was shielded for

Stresses the act of defending or covering to prevent exposure to something negative.

was defended for

Highlights the act of resisting attack or protecting against opposition for a specific cause.

was kept under guard for

Emphasizes continuous supervision and protection for a given period.

was patrolled for

Emphasizes the regular monitoring of an area to maintain security during a set period.

had security for

Focuses on the active security measures put in place for a definite period.

was under surveillance for

Highlights the act of constant monitoring, particularly in a formal setting.

FAQs

What does "was guarded for" mean?

The phrase "was guarded for" implies that something was protected or kept safe for a specific reason or duration. However, it is not a common expression.

What can I say instead of "was guarded for"?

You can use alternatives like "was protected for", "was secured for", or "was kept safe for" depending on the context.

Is "was guarded for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was guarded for" is grammatically correct, but it may sound slightly awkward or unusual depending on the specific context. It is better to use alternative phrasing.

How can I use "was guarded for" in a sentence?

Example: "The entrance to the archeological site "was protected for" several weeks following the discovery."