was illustrated

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The concept of loyalty was illustrated by the heroic actions of the main character."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was illustrated by two things.

The Economist

The character within was illustrated by Brunt.

The Guardian - Sport

But it was illustrated with their photographs.

The Guardian

A diagram of this communication was illustrated above.

Cornell University

The skeletal reconstruction was illustrated in Adobe Photoshop CC 2015.

Nature

Supplementary Fig. 1 was illustrated by G. Hincks.

Nature

Figure 1a was illustrated by K. Ris-Vicari.

Nature

It was illustrated by a quotation from a 1897 journal.

The Guardian

The bipartisan apprehension was illustrated by Mr. Blinken's presence.

The New York Times

This was illustrated using Ahr and Nrf2 pathways.

Nature

That ambivalence was illustrated clearly this past winter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was illustrated" when you want to show that something was clarified, exemplified, or made understandable through a specific example, image, or description. Always ensure the subject preceding "was illustrated" is something that can logically be clarified or exemplified.

Common error

Avoid using "was illustrated" without providing a clear and relevant example or visual aid. Saying something "was illustrated" implies that an example or depiction followed, and omitting it leaves the reader without the intended clarification. For instance, instead of saying "The concept was illustrated", specify what illustrated it: "The concept was illustrated by a case study."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was illustrated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received the action of being clarified or exemplified. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It is used to highlight how something was made clearer or more understandable through an example or visual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was illustrated" is a grammatically sound passive voice construction, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, used to indicate that a concept or idea has been clarified through examples, visuals, or descriptions. It is frequently used in scientific and news-related contexts, demonstrating its versatility across different writing styles. When using "was illustrated", ensure that a clear and relevant example is provided to avoid leaving the audience without proper clarification. Alternative phrases, such as ""was demonstrated"" or ""was exemplified"", can be used to add nuance, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was demonstrated

This alternative emphasizes the act of showing something clearly and convincingly, often through evidence.

was exemplified

This alternative highlights that something served as a typical example of a particular quality or concept.

was shown

This alternative provides a simple and direct way to indicate that something was made visible or apparent.

was depicted

This alternative suggests a visual representation or description of something, often in art or literature.

was presented

This alternative focuses on the act of formally introducing or displaying something to an audience.

was highlighted

This alternative emphasizes that something was given special attention or prominence.

was clarified

This alternative indicates that something was made clearer or easier to understand.

was evidenced

This alternative stresses that something was supported by proof or evidence.

was manifested

This alternative implies that something became apparent or showed itself in a tangible way.

was embodied

This alternative suggests that something was given a concrete form or expression.

FAQs

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

Use "was illustrated" to indicate that a concept or idea was clarified or exemplified. For example, "The importance of teamwork "was illustrated" by the team's success".

What are some alternatives to "was illustrated"?

Alternatives include "was demonstrated", "was exemplified", or "was shown". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was illustrated" or "is illustrated"?

Use "was illustrated" for past events or completed actions. Use "is illustrated" for present or ongoing situations. For example, "The problem was illustrated by the data from last year" versus "The problem is illustrated in the following diagram".

What's the difference between "was illustrated by" and "was illustrated with"?

"Was illustrated by" indicates the cause or means of illustration (e.g., "The point was illustrated by an example"). "Was illustrated with" indicates the material used for illustration (e.g., "The book was illustrated with colorful pictures").