was linked to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was linked to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a connection between two things. For example, "The increased risk of cancers was linked to air pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Borglum was linked to the Ku Klux Klan.

The Economist

Each pageant was linked to a charity.

The New York Times

"The peace accord was linked to peace.

The New York Times

It was linked to 11 other ministries.

The Guardian

She was linked to me through others.

The Guardian - Tech

The post was linked to from the department's Twitter account.

The Guardian

Kenyan police will allege he was linked to Lewthwaite.

The Guardian

The storm was linked to at least four deaths.

The New York Times

Each one, they thought, was linked to personality traits.

The Guardian

In some cases, the light was linked to losing money.

The New Yorker

At the time, the defect was linked to 13 deaths.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was linked to" to clearly and directly establish a relationship or connection between two distinct entities or concepts. Ensure the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning to support the link.

Common error

Avoid using "was linked to" when the connection is speculative or lacks concrete evidence. Instead, use qualifiers such as "may be linked to" or "potentially linked to" to indicate uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was linked to" functions as a passive voice construction used to indicate a connection or relationship between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, allowing for clear association between events, items, or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was linked to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a connection or relationship between two entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used across different contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and business communications. While not explicitly implying causation, it strongly suggests an association that warrants further scrutiny. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the link you are establishing and avoid overstating the strength of the connection without sufficient evidence. Consider alternatives like "was associated with" or "was connected to" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was associated with

Emphasizes a general connection or relationship without necessarily implying a direct cause.

was connected to

Highlights a direct link or relationship, often implying a physical or logical connection.

was related to

Suggests a relationship or connection, but can also imply a familial or hierarchical link.

was tied to

Implies a strong and often inseparable connection or dependence.

was attributed to

Indicates that something is believed to be the cause or origin of something else.

was ascribed to

Similar to 'attributed to', but often used in more formal or academic contexts.

was implicated in

Suggests involvement in something, often something negative or criminal.

was intertwined with

Emphasizes a complex and closely connected relationship.

was associated in

Specifies that there is an association with another variable.

was correlated with

Indicates a statistical relationship or pattern between two variables.

FAQs

How can I use "was linked to" in a sentence?

Use "was linked to" to connect two entities, suggesting a relationship between them. For example, "The increase in pollution was linked to industrial activity."

What are some alternatives to "was linked to"?

Alternatives include "was associated with", "was connected to", or "was related to", depending on the specific context and the nature of the connection.

Is it more accurate to say "was linked to" or "was associated with"?

The choice depends on the context. "Was linked to" implies a more direct or causal connection, while "was associated with" suggests a general relationship without necessarily implying causation.

Can "was linked to" imply causation?

While "was linked to" doesn't definitively prove causation, it suggests a potential causal relationship that warrants further investigation or evidence.