was not selected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not selected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that has not been chosen for something (such as a competition, job, or award). Example: Even though John was the most qualified applicant, he was not selected for the position.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was not selected.

Independent

The daring title was not selected at random.

The New York Times

Falcone's sister stood for the Greens and was not selected.

The Guardian

(The group was not selected to attend Eurovision in Moscow).

The New York Times

Two years later he was not selected for Euro 2016.

The Guardian - Sport

But he was not selected in last year's N.F.L. draft.

The New York Times - Sports

Arlen Specter was not "selected by leaders in Washington".

The New Yorker

In the end, STEP was not selected as M3 either.

Advances in Space Research

Ultimately, she was not selected as a juror.

The New York Times

(Prospal was not selected for the Czech team).

The New York Times - Sports

However, she was not selected in the final astronaut groups.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not selected" to clearly and directly state that a person or item was not chosen for a particular purpose. Ensure the context makes clear what the selection was for.

Common error

Avoid using "is not selected" when referring to a past event. Use "was not selected" to maintain the correct tense and ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not selected" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a subject did not receive a choice or endorsement. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in describing outcomes of competitions, applications, and team selections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not selected" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something has not been chosen. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. Its neutral register allows for use across varied source types like news, science, and encyclopedias. Consider alternatives such as "was rejected" or "was not chosen" for nuanced meanings. Remember to maintain correct verb tense and clearly identify the context for selection. By following these best practices and avoiding common errors, you can use "was not selected" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not chosen

Highlights the absence of a selection decision in one's favor.

was not included

Highlights the absence of something from a set or group.

was rejected

Focuses on the act of being turned down after consideration.

was passed over

Suggests a deliberate choice to not select someone or something.

was excluded

Focuses on the active act of being kept out.

was omitted

Emphasizes exclusion from a list or group.

did not make the cut

Implies a competitive selection process where the subject failed to qualify.

was left out

Emphasizes being unintentionally or accidentally not included.

failed to qualify

Highlights the failure to meet the requirements for selection.

was unsuccessful

Implies a lack of success in being chosen.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was not selected" in a more formal way?

You can use alternatives such as "was not chosen" or "was rejected", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "was not selected" in professional communication?

Yes, "was not selected" is suitable for professional communication. However, ensure that the tone remains respectful, especially when informing someone that they "was not selected".

What does it mean when someone says "was not selected"?

It means that a person or item didn't fulfill the required criteria or wasn't the preferred choice among multiple options. It indicates they "was not chosen" for a specific role, team, or purpose.

Which is the correct way to use "was not selected", in active or passive voice?

The phrase "was not selected" is already in the passive voice. To use it in the active voice, you might rephrase the sentence to something like "the committee did not select him".