was not invited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not invited" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone did not receive an invitation to an event or gathering. Example: "She felt hurt when she realized she was not invited to the wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Kamsky was not invited.

The New York Times

It was not invited.

The New York Times

I was not invited.

The New York Times

Mr. Park was not invited.

The New York Times

I was not invited, but I understood.

The New York Times

The general public was not invited.

The New Yorker

The camera crew was not invited.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I wasn't invited back".

The New York Times

She wasn't invited in.

Independent

I wasn't invited.

The New York Times

"I wasn't invited," she said wistfully.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not invited" to clearly and directly state that someone did not receive an invitation. This phrase avoids ambiguity and is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was not invited" when the person simply chose not to attend. This phrase implies they were excluded, not that they declined or were uninterested.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not invited" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject did not receive an invitation. It's a declarative statement about someone's exclusion from an event or opportunity. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not invited" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that someone did not receive an invitation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to avoid using it when someone simply chose not to attend. Alternatives like "was excluded" or "did not receive an invitation" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was excluded

Direct synonym; emphasizes being deliberately kept out.

did not receive an invitation

More formal and literal restatement of the phrase.

wasn't asked to attend

Rephrasing using "asked" to imply invitation.

was left off the list

Suggests an oversight or deliberate removal from a list of invitees.

was not included

Broader term for not being part of a group or event.

didn't make the cut

Informal idiom implying a selection process where the person wasn't chosen.

wasn't considered

Suggests that the person was not even thought of for the invitation.

was passed over

Indicates that the person was bypassed or ignored in favor of others.

was intentionally omitted

Emphasizes a deliberate act of leaving someone out.

was not welcome

Stronger term implying the person's presence was undesirable.

FAQs

What does "was not invited" mean?

The phrase "was not invited" means that someone did not receive an invitation to an event, meeting, or gathering. It implies that they were excluded or not considered for inclusion.

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

You can use alternatives like "was excluded", "did not receive an invitation", or "wasn't asked to attend" depending on the context.

Is "was not invited" formal or informal?

The phrase "was not invited" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage is widespread across various types of communication, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Which is correct, "was not invited" or "didn't get invited"?

Both "was not invited" and "didn't get invited" are grammatically correct, but "was not invited" is generally considered more formal and direct. "Didn't get invited" is more conversational.