was impressed

USAGE SUMMARY

'was impressed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the feeling or emotion that someone had after witnessing or experiencing something. Example sentence: After seeing his painting skills, I was impressed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I was impressed.

Stanford University

Bradley was impressed.

The New Yorker

Yahmadi was impressed.

The New Yorker

Baas was impressed.

The New York Times - Sports

She was impressed.

The New York Times

The guard was impressed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The experts were impressed.

The New York Times

Not everyone is impressed.

The New York Times

Even oenophiles were impressed.

The New Yorker

PREMINGER: I am impressed.

The New Yorker

My children were impressed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was impressed" to convey a positive reaction to something you've experienced or witnessed. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the impression.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice by ensuring the subject is clearly identified and the sentence structure is direct. For instance, instead of "The presentation was impressed upon me", a better option is "The presentation impressed me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was impressed" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating a state of positive evaluation or admiration experienced by someone. It describes a reaction to something that has made a favorable impact. Ludwig examples show its common usage in expressing positive reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was impressed" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a feeling of admiration or positive impact. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it conveys a neutral tone suitable for various situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. When writing, ensure the context clarifies what caused the impression, and consider using alternatives like "felt admiration" or "was captivated" for nuanced expressions. Avoiding overuse of passive voice will further enhance clarity. Thus, "was impressed" is a versatile and reliable phrase for expressing positive reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt admiration

Focuses on the feeling of admiration rather than the state of being impressed.

was struck by

Indicates a strong and sudden impact, often highlighting a specific quality.

was captivated

Emphasizes being charmed or enthralled, going beyond simple impressiveness.

thought highly of

Expresses a positive opinion or assessment.

found it remarkable

Highlights the unusual or exceptional quality of something.

was in awe of

Conveys a sense of wonder and reverence.

held in high regard

Implies respect and esteem, often over a longer period.

was greatly affected by

Focuses on the emotional impact something had on someone.

recognized the merit of

Highlights the acknowledgement of value or worth.

acknowledged the excellence of

Specifically points out the superior quality of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was impressed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "held in high regard", "acknowledged the excellence of", or "thought highly of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was impressed by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was impressed by" is grammatically correct. The preposition "by" indicates what or who caused the feeling of being impressed. For example, "I was impressed by her dedication" is a perfectly valid sentence.

What's the difference between "was impressed" and "is impressed"?

"Was impressed" refers to a past feeling or event, while "is impressed" indicates a current feeling. For example, "I was impressed by the movie yesterday" (past), versus "I am impressed by your work ethic" (present).

When should I use "was impressed" instead of "felt impressed"?

While both phrases convey a feeling of being impressed, "was impressed" is more common and natural. "Felt impressed" is less frequently used. You can also consider using alternatives like "felt admiration" for a slightly different nuance.