was not exercised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not exercised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, such as a right, option, or opportunity, was not utilized or taken advantage of. Example: "The option to renew the contract was not exercised, leading to its expiration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Instead, it held that the power is not itself "intrinsically discriminatory", and was not exercised in a discriminatory way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wells had said he would retire if his option was not exercised, but Boomer has been known to change his mind.

The New York Times - Sports

The power to make changes rests with the Department of Education, and on Tuesday, no one would explain why it was not exercised sooner at this school.

The New York Times

But such discretion was not exercised and it probably never will be in any system that relies on the regulator to take away the punch bowl at the height of the party.

The Economist

In addition, if any loop or conditional flow was not exercised during training, there are chances of generating instruction sequences from such loops/conditional flows, which may lead to ambiguous execution.

Journal of Cloud Computing

"More than half a million people escaped, many on foot, but were given only a few days of curfew relaxation, and therefore enough care was not exercised in this mass exodus to avoid any mishaps.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

General Boykin was not exercising the free speech rights of a private citizen.

The New York Times

His brilliant intelligence wasn't exercised only in the realm of theory.

BBC

Too bad that right wasn't exercised.

Huffington Post

Its occupant has one privilege which is not exercised by any living person: free speech.

The New Yorker

By Mark Twain Its occupant has one privilege which is not exercised by any living person: free speech.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not exercised", ensure the context clearly indicates what option, right, or power remained unused. For example: "The right to appeal the decision was not exercised."

Common error

Avoid using "was not exercised" when a simpler term like "was not used" is more appropriate and clear. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not exercised" functions primarily as part of a passive construction, indicating that a particular right, option, or power was available but remained unused. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, as demonstrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not exercised" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a right, option, or power was available but not utilized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and general informational contexts. While precise and appropriate in the right setting, simpler alternatives like "was not used" or "was not utilized" may sometimes offer greater clarity. The key is to ensure the context clearly highlights what specific entitlement or capacity remained untapped.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not utilized

Replaces "exercised" with a more general term for use.

was not implemented

Focuses on the lack of practical application.

was not applied

Highlights the absence of putting something into effect.

was not enacted

Emphasizes the failure to put a law or rule into action.

was not invoked

Refers to not calling upon a right, law, or principle.

was not employed

Similar to 'utilized', but may suggest a more deliberate choice.

was not actioned

Focuses on lack of action following a decision.

was not brought into play

Indicates that something was available but not used.

remained unexercised

Emphasizes the state of something not being used.

was left unexercised

Highlights that a conscious choice was made not to use something.

FAQs

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

Use "was not exercised" to indicate that a particular right, option, or power was available but not used. For example, "The option to renew the contract "was not exercised", so it expired".

What's a simpler alternative to "was not exercised"?

Alternatives include "was not used", "was not utilized", or "was not applied". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "exercise"?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the desired emphasis. "The company did not exercise its option" (active) emphasizes the actor, while "The option "was not exercised"" (passive) emphasizes the action (or lack thereof).

When is it appropriate to use "was not exercised" instead of "was not used"?

Use "was not exercised" when referring specifically to a right, power, or ability. "Was not used" is more general and can apply to a wider range of situations where something simply wasn't put into service.