was intercepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was intercepted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event where something was caught or stopped before reaching its intended destination, often in contexts like communication or transportation. Example: "The message was intercepted by the enemy before it could reach the headquarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Romo was intercepted once.

The New York Times - Sports

It was intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, it was intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

He was intercepted once.

The New York Times - Sports

He was intercepted twice.

The New York Times - Sports

Hutchinson was intercepted twice.

The New York Times - Sports

The pass was intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

The rookie Ben Roethlisberger's pass was intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

Simms was intercepted three times.

The New York Times - Sports

And he was intercepted twice.

The New York Times - Sports

One tipped ball was intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was intercepted", ensure the context clearly indicates what was stopped and what the intended target or destination was. This helps maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was intercepted" when the subject actively chose to stop something themselves. The phrase implies an external force caused the interception, not a voluntary action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was intercepted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence had something stopped or diverted by an external force. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in contexts ranging from sports to international affairs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was intercepted" is a versatile passive construction commonly used to describe the act of stopping or diverting something before it reaches its intended destination. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "was caught" or "was stopped" exist, "was intercepted" often carries a connotation of deliberate prevention or interruption. To ensure clarity, always specify what or whom was intercepted and the intended target. This phrase is most appropriate in neutral to professional registers, and its consistent usage across authoritative sources underscores its validity and utility in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was caught

This is a more general term, indicating something was seized or captured.

was stopped

A simple and direct way of saying something's progress was ended.

was blocked

Suggests an obstruction prevented progress or delivery.

was seized

Implies forceful taking of something, often by authorities.

was halted

Indicates a stop to progress or movement.

was diverted

Means something was redirected from its intended path.

was disrupted

Suggests the intended flow or progress was interfered with.

was thwarted

Implies an active effort to prevent something from succeeding.

was apprehended

Usually refers to catching a person or thing that is trying to escape or evade capture.

was forestalled

Indicates an action was taken to prevent something from happening.

FAQs

How is "was intercepted" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "was intercepted" is used to describe a situation where something or someone is stopped before reaching its intended destination. For example, "The message "was intercepted" by the enemy before it reached headquarters."

What are some alternatives to "was intercepted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was caught", "was blocked", or "was seized". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the pass was intercepted" in sports?

Yes, "the pass "was intercepted"" is a common and correct way to describe a football pass being caught by the opposing team.

What's the difference between "was intercepted" and "was received"?

"Was intercepted" means something was stopped before it could reach its destination, while "was received" means it successfully reached its destination. They are antonyms in this sense.