was hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "was hurt" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which someone has suffered some physical or emotional pain. For example: "He was hurt when his parents didn't show up to his concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was hurt.

The New Yorker

Nobody was hurt, fortunately.

The New York Times - Arts

Then he was hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Ninh was hurt.

The New York Times

But she was hurt.

The New York Times - Arts

I was hurt, man".

The New York Times

Mrs. Manzola was hurt.

The New York Times

He was hurt".

The New York Times

Nobody was hurt.

The New Yorker

And he was hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

Smith certainly was hurt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was hurt", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the harm is physical, emotional, or both. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice constructions like "was hurt" when active voice could provide a more direct and impactful statement. For example, instead of "He was hurt by her words", consider "Her words hurt him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was hurt" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced some form of physical or emotional pain. It is used to describe a state resulting from an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was hurt" is a grammatically sound and very common passive verb phrase used to describe a state of physical or emotional pain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is frequently found in news and media, formal and business documents, and scientific reports. When writing, ensure the context clarifies the type of harm. While generally appropriate, consider using the active voice for more direct impact. Alternatives such as "was injured" or "sustained injuries" may be suitable depending on the specific context. The phrase is appropriate for neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was injured

A direct synonym, indicating physical harm or damage.

was wounded

Similar to "was injured" but often carries a stronger connotation of emotional or psychological harm.

sustained injuries

Focuses on the physical aspect of being injured, implying harm has been inflicted.

suffered damage

Highlights the damage experienced, which could be physical or emotional.

experienced pain

Emphasizes the sensation of pain, whether physical or emotional.

felt wounded

Implies emotional or psychological injury, often suggesting a sense of betrayal or offense.

took a blow

Suggests experiencing a setback or negative impact, either physically or emotionally.

endured suffering

Highlights the endurance of pain or hardship over a period of time.

came to grief

Implies encountering trouble or misfortune, often leading to sorrow or distress.

was afflicted

Suggests being affected by something negative, such as an illness or hardship.

FAQs

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

You can use "was hurt" to describe a state of physical or emotional pain. For example, "She was hurt when she didn't get the job", or "He was hurt in the accident".

What are some alternatives to saying "was hurt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was injured", "felt wounded", or "sustained injuries".

Is it correct to say "I am hurted" instead of "I was hurt"?

No, "I am hurted" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "hurt" is "hurt", so the correct phrasing is "I was hurt".

What's the difference between "was hurt" and "felt hurt"?

"Was hurt" describes a state of having been injured or emotionally wounded, while "felt hurt" describes the sensation or emotion of being hurt. The former implies an event caused the hurt, while the latter focuses on the feeling.