was not done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a task or action has not been completed. Example: "The report was not done by the deadline, which caused delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Balentien was not done.

The New York Times - Sports

He was not done.

The New York Times - Sports

But Jeter was not done.

The New York Times - Sports

But Washington was not done.

The New York Times - Sports

Now that was not done.

The New York Times

My book was not done.

The New Yorker

Mr. Baldwin was not done.

The New York Times

But Stalin was not done.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Obama was not done.

The New York Times

"It was not done well.

The Guardian

But he was not done.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not done", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was responsible for completing the action. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "was not done", as it can make your writing sound less direct and less engaging. Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence to use the active voice for a more dynamic effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not done" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action or task remained uncompleted. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not done" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that effectively communicates that an action remained uncompleted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, and the register is generally neutral. When writing, consider who or what was responsible for completing the task. While the phrase is widely acceptable, remember that excessive passive voice can diminish the impact of your writing. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "was not completed" or "remained undone" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not completed

Directly indicates that the action was not finished.

remained undone

Focuses on the state of being uncompleted or not performed.

was left undone

Highlights that the action was omitted or not attended to.

was not carried out

Focuses on the failure to perform or implement the action.

was not executed

Implies the action did not occur or wasn't implemented.

was omitted

Suggests that the action was intentionally or unintentionally left out.

was unfulfilled

Emphasizes that the task or requirement was not satisfied.

was not attended to

Implies the task was neglected or overlooked.

was not achieved

Focuses on the failure to reach a goal or outcome.

was not realized

Emphasizes that the potential outcome didn't come to fruition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was not done" to sound more active?

You can rephrase "was not done" using active voice constructions such as "they did not do it", "it remained undone", or "it was left incomplete". The best option depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "was not completed" and "was not done"?

"Was not done" is a more general phrase, while "was not completed" specifically refers to the finishing of a task or action. They are often interchangeable, but "was not completed" is more precise in certain contexts.

Is "was not done" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was not done" is grammatically correct. It's a passive voice construction indicating that an action or task was not performed.

When is it appropriate to use "was not done" in writing?

"Was not done" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that an action was not performed, without necessarily specifying who was responsible. It's common in situations where the focus is on the result rather than the actor.