was impaired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was impaired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being weakened, damaged, or diminished, often in relation to health, function, or ability. Example: "After the accident, his ability to walk was impaired, requiring rehabilitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Her vision was impaired.

The New York Times - Magazine

Henceforth, his mobility was impaired.

The New Yorker

Her short-term memory was impaired.

The New York Times

A psychiatrist determined that the patient's mental capacity was impaired.

The New York Times - Health

After the operation the man's vision was impaired.

The Guardian

Harry had several falls, and his mobility was impaired.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Already his ability to carry out a sustained conversation was impaired.

The New York Times

He returned to the game, but his eyesight was impaired, his head forever different from before.

The New York Times - Sports

"As a result of Boeing's conduct, our ability to compete in those space markets was impaired".

The New York Times

"When I bought First Hanover, my judgment was impaired," Mr. Jaquith said.

The New York Times

Although this imperial order was disregarded, Liberius's prestige was impaired.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of an illness or injury, use "was impaired" to clearly indicate a specific function or ability has been negatively affected. For example, "His vision was impaired after the accident" is more precise than "He was not seeing well".

Common error

While "was impaired" is appropriate in formal or medical contexts, avoid using it in everyday conversation where simpler language suffices. Saying "My phone was impaired" sounds unnatural; instead, say "My phone was broken."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was impaired" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something or someone experienced a reduction or weakening in ability or function. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase, often found describing states of reduced capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was impaired" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a state of reduced function or ability. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It's common in both scientific and news contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's best to use it precisely, especially when describing health or cognitive functions, and to avoid overuse in informal settings where simpler language might be more appropriate. Alternative phrases like "was weakened" or "was compromised" can provide variety depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was diminished

This alternative focuses on the reduction in quality or effectiveness.

was weakened

This suggests a loss of strength or power.

was compromised

This implies that something has been put at risk or made vulnerable.

was reduced

This indicates a decrease in amount, size, or intensity.

was undermined

This suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation or effectiveness.

was hindered

This implies that progress or action was slowed or prevented.

was affected

This is a more general term indicating that something experienced a change, usually negative.

was damaged

This suggests physical harm or impairment.

was deteriorated

This indicates a decline in quality or condition over time.

was lessened

This signifies a reduction in degree, amount, or intensity.

FAQs

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

Use "was impaired" to describe a reduced function or ability due to damage or weakening, such as "His judgment "was impaired" due to fatigue" or "Her mobility "was impaired" after the surgery".

What are some alternatives to saying "was impaired"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was weakened", "was compromised", or "was diminished" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "is impaired" instead of "was impaired"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but their use depends on the tense. "Is impaired" describes a current state, while "was impaired" describes a past state. For example, "His hearing is impaired" (now) versus "His hearing "was impaired" after the concert" (in the past).

What's the difference between "was impaired" and "was damaged"?

"Was damaged" often implies physical harm or breakage, while "was impaired" suggests a functional reduction, not necessarily physical damage. A car "was damaged" in an accident, while someone's judgment "was impaired" by alcohol.