was not appropriated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not appropriated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not taken or used without permission, often in contexts related to art, culture, or resources. Example: "The design was not appropriated from any existing works, ensuring originality in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It was not appropriated, but ended.

Cornell University

It blocks Trump's efforts to use money that was not appropriated by Congress to build a border wall.

The Guardian

Due to the high content of salts, the evaluated MSW compost was not appropriated to be used alone as a soil conditioner or organic fertilizer.

Bioresource Technology

Collyer ruled that the House can sue the administration for spending money on new consumer health care subsidies that was not appropriated by Congress.

The Washington Post

Because that money was not appropriated, the Bush administration will have to scramble to switch cash from other priorities to sustain the 7,000-strong 7,000-strongn peAfricance in DarfUnion

The Washington Post

The defendants argued that the federal government was spending money that was not appropriated by Congress in violation of the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

2D-avatars are not appropriated.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Direct translation is not appropriated.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

"I'm not appropriating anything.

Huffington Post

And it was not appropriate.

The New Yorker

It was not appropriate," Sinodinos replied.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial or resource allocation, ensure that "was not appropriated" is followed by a clear explanation of why the funds or resources weren't allocated.

Common error

Avoid using "was not appropriated" when a simpler term like "was not used" or "was not taken" would suffice. Overusing the term can make writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted, especially in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not appropriated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (appropriation) did not occur. It's used to describe a situation where something wasn't officially designated or allocated for a particular purpose, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not appropriated" is a grammatically correct passive construction that indicates a lack of official allocation or authorization. According to Ludwig, while the phrase is valid in English and appears across multiple categories, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using the term, ensure clarity regarding the resources or actions in question to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "was not authorized" or "was not allocated" may be more suitable depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not authorized

Focuses on the lack of official permission or endorsement.

was not permitted

Highlights the lack of allowance or consent for an action.

was not allocated

Emphasizes that resources or funds were not assigned for a specific purpose.

was not endorsed

Emphasizes the absence of official approval or support.

was not suitable

Highlights the inappropriateness of something for a particular use or situation.

was not sanctioned

Indicates that an action or use wasn't officially approved or allowed.

was not designated

Indicates that something was not specifically chosen or assigned for a purpose.

was not assigned

Similar to 'allocated' but can apply to tasks, roles, or resources.

was not considered appropriate

Expands on suitability, adding a layer of judgment or evaluation.

was not deemed fit

Similar to 'suitable', emphasizing a judgment of qualification or readiness.

FAQs

What does "was not appropriated" mean?

The phrase "was not appropriated" means that something was not officially allocated, designated, or authorized for a specific purpose. It often implies a lack of permission or suitability.

When is it appropriate to use "was not appropriated"?

It is appropriate to use "was not appropriated" when discussing resources, funds, or actions that lacked proper authorization or designation. For instance, you might say "The funds "were not appropriated" for the project" if they weren't officially allocated.

What can I say instead of "was not appropriated"?

You can use alternatives like "was not authorized", "was not allocated", or "was not approved" depending on the specific context.

How does "was not appropriated" differ from "was not suitable"?

"Was not appropriated" implies a lack of official allocation or authorization, whereas "was not suitable" indicates that something is inappropriate for a particular use or situation. The former is about permission; the latter is about fitness or relevance.