was not devoted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not devoted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a lack of commitment or dedication to a person, cause, or task in a past context. Example: "Despite his talent, he was not devoted to his studies, which ultimately affected his grades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I was not devoted to my running, and it showed.

The New York Times - Sports

The researchers later gave a similar survey at a neurology conference that was not devoted to headaches.

The New York Times - Health

(It would help, though, if the "Current Events" section of the Chuck Norris home page was not devoted to the schedule for the World Combat League).

The New York Times

While his speech was not devoted to critiquing the opposition, as was Mr. Cheney's, Mr. Lieberman did scold Republicans for putting forth what he portrayed as a misleading festival of inclusion at its convention.

The New York Times

Ninety percent of his talk was not devoted to the confrontation with the mainland but rather the state of Taiwan's hard-won democracy, the need to root out corruption, economic and environmental goals, and devotion to human rights.

The New York Times

In 1943 Frank C. Walker, the U.S. postmaster general, attempted to withdraw the magazine's second-class mailing privileges (an economic rate generally considered essential to a magazine's survival) on the grounds that Esquire was "not devoted to useful information" worthy of the mail subsidy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The BBC has studiously sought to avoid any controversy around its coverage, although that has not stopped protests about its alleged bias, and complaints that it was not devoting enough airtime to the issue.

The Guardian

Andrew Sinclair, BBC East's political correspondent, said the move to drop him was due to "frustration" among some senior local party figures who felt he was not devoting enough time to his constituency.

BBC

Earlier this month, Andrew Sinclair, BBC East's political correspondent, said the move to drop him was due to "frustration" among some senior local party figures who felt he was not devoting enough time to his constituency.

BBC

That might have happened if I were not devoted to the cause of moderation".

The New Yorker

"But it doesn't last if you're not devoted to what you're doing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not devoted", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject lacked dedication to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "was not devoted" when a simple lack of skill or knowledge is the issue. Devotion implies a level of commitment beyond mere ability. For example, it's more accurate to say someone "lacked the skill" rather than "was not devoted to" playing the piano if they simply hadn't learned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not devoted" typically functions as part of a predicate, expressing a state of lacking dedication or commitment. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a deficiency in zeal or application towards something, as demonstrated in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not devoted" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that indicates a lack of commitment or dedication. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It's primarily used in neutral to formal contexts, especially within news, media and scientific domains. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context clarifies what the subject lacks devotion to and to avoid using the phrase when the issue is simply a lack of skill rather than a lack of commitment. Consider using alternatives like "lacked commitment" or "did not dedicate oneself" to fine-tune the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not dedicate oneself to

More formal and emphasizes a conscious choice not to commit.

lacked commitment to

Focuses on the absence of a necessary attribute for success or progress.

did not apply oneself to

Emphasizes a lack of effort or diligence towards a specific task or goal.

was uncommitted to

Highlights a general state of not being bound or dedicated.

didn't dedicate time to

Focuses specifically on the time investment.

was not enthusiastic about

Implies a lack of positive feeling or zeal.

did not prioritize

Highlights a lack of importance given to something.

was indifferent to

Suggests a neutral or apathetic stance.

paid no attention to

Emphasizes a complete disregard or neglect.

showed no interest in

Highlights an absence of curiosity or engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "was not devoted" in a sentence?

Use "was not devoted" to indicate a lack of dedication or commitment to something. For instance, "He "was not devoted" to his training, which led to poor performance."

What are some alternatives to "was not devoted"?

Some alternatives include "lacked commitment", "did not dedicate oneself", or "was uncommitted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "were not devoted" instead of "was not devoted"?

Yes, use "were not devoted" when referring to a plural subject. For example, "They "were not devoted" to the cause."

What's the difference between "was not devoted to" and "did not devote time to"?

"Was not devoted to" implies a deeper lack of commitment or dedication, while "did not devote time to" simply indicates a lack of time investment. The former suggests a lack of passion, while the latter might just be a scheduling issue.