was handed in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was handed in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, typically a document or assignment, has been submitted or delivered to a person or organization. Example: "The report was handed in on time, ensuring that I met the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

For example, two players' failing grades were turned into passing grades after late work was handed in, the report said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was about what had happened in the interval between when the company bought Safire's book and when the manuscript was handed in: Watergate.

The New Yorker

"Under the procedures we have been following since the preliminary application was handed in, a March I.P.O. is possible," said An Min-ku, a Korea Life spokesman.

The New York Times

The 10-week-old pup, called Theo, was handed in on Christmas Day at the West Calder Dogs Trust centre in West Lothian, Scotland.

The Guardian

Affectionately named 'Big Boy', the Sydney funnel-web spider – the deadliest in Australia – was handed in by a member of the public to be used in Australia's only venom milking programme.

Independent

Happily, it was handed in by a fellow passenger at Finsbury Park station who happened to be a tube employee, and, using details in the wallet, sent me a text.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Essays should be handed in at the end.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Make sure all assignments are handed in on time.

WikiHow

It has to be written before it is handed in.

The Guardian

Food is being handed in over the garden railings.

The Guardian

The letter is being handed in to Number 10 today.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required; "was submitted" may be preferable in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "was handed in". Where appropriate, use active voice for clarity and impact; for example, instead of "The application was handed in by the applicant", write "The applicant handed in the application".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was handed in" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the act of submitting or delivering something. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used when the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was handed in" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the submission or delivery of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, and is considered to be of neutral formality. While generally acceptable, writers should consider the level of formality required by the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "was submitted" when appropriate. Pay attention to potentially using an active voice to make writing more concise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was submitted

Replaces "handed in" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of formal submission.

was turned in

A more informal alternative to "handed in", suitable for casual contexts.

was delivered

Focuses on the action of delivering something, rather than the act of submission.

was presented

Emphasizes a formal introduction or display of something.

was provided

Highlights the act of supplying or making something available.

was given

A simpler, more general term indicating that something was transferred to someone.

was filed

Implies placing a document in a specific system or location for record-keeping.

was lodged

Similar to "filed", but often used in legal or formal contexts.

was tendered

A formal term for offering something, often in response to a request or invitation.

was passed in

Indicates something being passed or submitted, possibly among a group.

FAQs

How can I use "was handed in" in a sentence?

You can use "was handed in" to indicate the submission of something. For instance, "The assignment "was handed in" before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to saying "was handed in"?

Alternatives include "was submitted", "was turned in", or "was delivered", depending on the context.

Is "was handed in" formal or informal?

"Was handed in" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In more formal contexts, "was submitted" might be a better choice.

What's the difference between "was handed in" and "was submitted"?

While both indicate submission, "was submitted" is more formal and often used in professional or academic settings, whereas "was handed in" is more common in everyday language. The best choice depends on the desired level of formality.