was killed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was killed" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is the simple past tense passive form of the verb "kill." It can be used to describe past events where the subject of the sentence was the victim of someone or something causing their death. Example: The famous lion tamer was killed during a performance when one of the lions turned on him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The snake was killed.

The New York Times

Inflation was killed.

The Economist

His uncle was killed.

The New York Times

Goto was killed.

The New Yorker

"My mother was killed.

The Economist

One librarian was killed.

The Economist

"A woman was killed.

The New York Times

He was killed instantly.

The New York Times

Everyone else was killed".

The New Yorker

One worker was killed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

One of them was killed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was killed", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of death or the agent responsible, if known. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to use "was killed" in contexts where the cause of death is unclear or could be misinterpreted. For example, instead of saying "The project was killed", clarify with "The project was killed due to budget cuts" to avoid any confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was killed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being killed. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage and grammatical correctness. The phrase is constructed using the auxiliary verb "was" and the past participle "killed."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was killed" is a passive verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something's life has been ended by an external force. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While typically neutral in tone, the specific context can influence its perceived formality. When using this phrase, ensure that the cause of death is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "was murdered" or "lost their life" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was murdered

This alternative specifies that the killing was unlawful and intentional.

was slain

This alternative is a more formal or archaic way to say someone was killed.

lost their life

This alternative is a gentler way of saying someone died.

was eliminated

This alternative suggests a calculated and purposeful act of killing.

met their demise

This alternative is a euphemistic way to describe someone's death.

was dispatched

This alternative implies a swift and efficient killing, often in a military or hunting context.

succumbed to injuries

This alternative indicates that death resulted from injuries sustained.

was taken out

This is a more colloquial way of saying someone was killed, often implying a planned action.

passed away

This is a euphemistic and softer way of saying someone died.

was terminated

This alternative can be used in a more formal or clinical context, or when referring to non-living things.

FAQs

How is "was killed" used in a sentence?

The phrase "was killed" is used to indicate that someone or something had their life ended by an external force. For example: "The soldier "was killed" in action."

What are some alternatives to saying "was killed"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was murdered", "lost their life", or "met their demise" instead of "was killed".

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "was killed"?

While grammatically correct, "was killed" can be quite direct. In sensitive contexts, consider using a more euphemistic alternative such as "passed away" or "lost their life".

What's the difference between "was killed" and "died"?

"Was killed" implies an external agent caused the death, whereas "died" simply indicates the end of life. For example, "He died of old age" versus "He "was killed" by a robber".