was levied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was levied" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the act of imposing a charge or a fine on something or someone, typically as a way of raising money for a public purpose. Example: A levy was imposed on all vehicles entering the city center in order to raise funds for infrastructure improvements.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The fine was levied Friday, but not made public.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps the harshest criticism was levied on the home front.

The New York Times

The suspension was levied by a Concacaf disciplinary committee and could not be appealed.

The New York Times - Sports

The fine was levied against the hospital's parent agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The New York Times - Health

However, perhaps the strongest criticism was levied at Captain Lord and the Californian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The chō was levied on peasant communities according to capability and age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The second highest fine, 71.5 million euros, was levied on Villeroy & Boch, a German company.

The New York Times

Until 1948, income tax was levied on individuals rather than couples.

The Economist

Perhaps the strongest criticism was levied at Captain Lord and the Californian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The cost of this love mob was levied at $3,500, which included the donation.

The New York Times

In 1995, a 300percenttaxax was levied on imported wine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was levied", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what imposed the charge or penalty and on whom or what it was imposed. For example, "A fine of $100 was levied on the company by the environmental agency."

Common error

Avoid using "was levied" with a plural subject. The correct form is "were levied" if the subject is plural. For example, instead of "Fines was levied", use "Fines were levied".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was levied" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a tax, fee, fine, or other charge was officially imposed. As shown in Ludwig, it typically connects a subject (the charge) to an implicit or explicit agent (the entity doing the levying).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was levied" is a passive verb phrase indicating the official imposition of a charge, tax, or penalty. It is grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific reporting. To effectively use this phrase, ensure proper subject-verb agreement and clear indication of the imposer and the recipient of the charge. Ludwig AI further suggests that synonyms like "was imposed" and "was assessed" can be used as alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was imposed

Direct synonym indicating something was officially enforced or applied. It has the highest similarity due to its interchangeable use in many contexts.

was charged

Implies a specific fee or amount was required to be paid. It is more specific to monetary contexts.

was assessed

Suggests an evaluation was made before a charge was applied. It is often used in property or tax contexts.

was exacted

Indicates that something was demanded or obtained forcefully. It carries a stronger sense of authority or enforcement.

was collected

Emphasizes the act of gathering or receiving something, especially money or taxes. It focuses on the outcome of the levy.

was applied

Signifies the action of putting something into effect or being relevant. It is less specific than "was levied".

was decreed

Suggests an official order or mandate was issued. It is more formal and legalistic.

was stipulated

Implies that something was specified as a condition or requirement. It is often used in legal or contractual settings.

was assigned

Indicates that something was given or allocated. It is more general and less directly related to charges or penalties.

was placed

Suggests the act of putting something in a specific position or condition. It is less forceful and more descriptive.

FAQs

How is "was levied" used in a sentence?

"Was levied" indicates that a tax, fine, or charge /s/was+imposed on someone or something. For example, "A tax /s/was+levied on all imported goods."

What is an alternative to saying "was levied"?

You can use alternatives such as "was imposed", "was charged", or "was assessed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was levied against"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "was levied against" is used to specify who or what the charge or penalty /s/was+imposed on. For example, "The fine /s/was+levied+against the company for violating environmental regulations."

What is the difference between "was levied" and "was collected"?

"Was levied" refers to the act of imposing a charge or tax, while "was collected" refers to the act of gathering or receiving that charge or tax. One is the action of imposing the tax; the other is the action of receiving it.