was inspired by

USAGE SUMMARY

'was inspired by' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell a reader or listener that you were influenced to do or create something by another person or idea. For example, "This work of art was inspired by the works of Van Gogh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was inspired by that.

The New Yorker

"I was inspired by Santo".

The New Yorker

Partly this was inspired by other schemes.

The Economist

I was inspired by the Orientalists.

The New York Times

This version was inspired by feline behavior.

The New York Times

Certainly she was inspired by them.

The New York Times

"It was inspired by autumn leaves.

The New York Times

was inspired by her reporting from Baghdad.

The New Yorker

This year, she was inspired by computers.

The New Yorker

Wagner was inspired by such pessimism.

The Economist

"I was inspired by it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by sometimes using active voice constructions like "drew inspiration from" instead of always relying on the passive "was inspired by".

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice construction "was inspired by". Using active voice alternatives such as "X inspired Y" can make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was inspired by" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating the source of influence or motivation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound for indicating external influence on a subject or action. Examples show it connecting creators to their influences across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was inspired by" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the source of influence for a particular creation, idea, or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent appearance in varied contexts, from News & Media to Academia, underscores its broad applicability. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, writers should consider using active voice constructions when appropriate to enhance the directness and impact of their writing. Understanding its nuances and alternatives, like "was influenced by" or "drew inspiration from", allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was influenced by

This alternative directly replaces "inspired" with "influenced", keeping the passive voice and indicating a source of impact or guidance.

was motivated by

This suggests that something provided a reason or incentive to act or create, focusing on the internal drive rather than external influence.

drew inspiration from

This is an active voice alternative, highlighting the act of taking inspiration from a source.

was guided by

This indicates a sense of direction or leadership from an external source, implying a more structured influence.

was shaped by

This suggests a formative influence that helped mold or define something.

was impacted by

This highlights the effect a particular thing had on something, leading to visible changes or results.

took cues from

This suggests subtle influences, borrowing ideas and hints from another source.

was a product of

This indicates that something came about as a direct result of certain conditions or influences.

owes its origins to

This emphasizes the historical roots and founding influences of something.

stemmed from

This implies that something originated or arose from a particular source or cause.

FAQs

How can I use "was inspired by" in a sentence?

Use "was inspired by" to indicate the source of influence for an idea, creation, or action. For instance, "The design was inspired by nature" or "I was inspired by her dedication".

What are some alternatives to "was inspired by"?

You can use alternatives like "was influenced by", "was motivated by", or "drew inspiration from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was inspired by"?

While "was inspired by" is in the passive voice and grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "X inspired Y") can often make your writing more direct and impactful. Choose the voice that best suits the context and your desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "was inspired by" and "was influenced by"?

While similar, "was inspired by" often suggests a more creative or emotional impetus, whereas "was influenced by" can imply a broader or more general effect. The choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the impact you're describing.