was noticed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was noticed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something became aware of or observed a particular action or event. Example: "The error in the report was noticed by the team during their review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He began early and was noticed by Maxim Gorky, who published his early work.

The New York Times - Books

Her aptitude for the medium was noticed by the "Today" show producers who later hired her.

The New York Times

She was noticed by her first coach Wei Wei by her huge hands and feet.

Independent

The phenomenon was noticed by the Norwegian seafood industry site iLaks.no.no

Independent

His work was noticed by Samuel May, a notable Boston abolitionist.

The New Yorker

The attempted hack was noticed by Ms Hoppen and News International later suspended him.

Independent

During this period Tallulah started to self-harm, which was noticed by the school nurse.

Independent

The most important was noticed by Kant, who called it the antinomy of taste.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He published his first story in 1913, and was noticed by Gorky in 1916.

The Guardian - Books

A degree of autobiographical self-identification with Burke was noticed by several commentators.

The Guardian

The difference between the speech and excerpt was noticed by strategists for former Gov.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was noticed by" to indicate that someone or something became aware of something else. It's useful in passive voice constructions where the focus is on the thing being noticed rather than the observer. For example: "The error was noticed by the editor."

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction with active voice if the focus should remain on what is being noticed. For instance, instead of "The editor noticed the error", using "The error was noticed by the editor" emphasizes the error itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was noticed by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received attention or observation from someone or something. It shifts the focus from the actor to the recipient of the action. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was noticed by" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to emphasize the subject that received attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appropriate in many contexts. Its use is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, remember that using "was noticed by" shifts the focus to the object or person being observed, making it different from the active voice. Consider using synonyms like "came to the attention of" or "was observed by" to fine-tune your message. By mastering its use, you enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to the attention of

Replaces "noticed" with a more formal expression indicating that something became known.

was observed by

Focuses on the act of observing, implying a more deliberate attention.

was seen by

A more straightforward way to indicate observation.

was detected by

Suggests a discovery, often in a scientific or investigative context.

was recognized by

Emphasizes acknowledgment and appreciation, beyond simple awareness.

was identified by

Implies a process of identifying something specific from a larger set.

was perceived by

Highlights the act of perceiving, suggesting an understanding or interpretation.

was spotted by

Suggests a quick or casual observation.

caught the eye of

An idiomatic expression suggesting something visually appealing or striking.

did not escape the attention of

Emphasizes that something was inevitably noticed.

FAQs

How can I use "was noticed by" in a sentence?

Use "was noticed by" when you want to emphasize the object or person being observed rather than the observer. For example, "The improvement in her performance "was noticed by" her coach" focuses on the performance improvement.

What are some alternatives to "was noticed by"?

You can use alternatives such as "came to the attention of", "was observed by", or "was detected by" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was noticed by"?

Using "was noticed by" implies a passive construction. Active voice would rephrase the sentence to focus on the observer (e.g., "The coach noticed the improvement"). Choose the voice that best suits your emphasis.

What is the difference between "was noticed by" and "noticed"?

"Was noticed by" is passive, placing emphasis on the subject being observed. "Noticed" is active, emphasizing the observer. For example, "The mistake "was noticed by" the reviewer" (passive) versus "The reviewer noticed the mistake" (active).