was obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

"was obtained" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to indicate how a certain result or outcome was achieved, for example: "Data for the research project was obtained through interviews with experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cisplatin was obtained from Pfizer.

Nature

An informed consent was obtained.

Nature

No emergency psychiatric evaluation was obtained".

The New York Times

But the evidence was obtained illegally.

The New York Times

The video was obtained by the Sun.

The Guardian

Not a single solar observation was obtained.

The New York Times

Appropriate consent was obtained from all patients.

Nature

The shotgun apparently was obtained legally.

The Washington Post

Informed consent was obtained before participation.

Nature

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects.

Nature

Lipofectamine 2000 was obtained from Invitrogen (USA).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was obtained" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the object or result rather than the actor. This is particularly useful in scientific writing where the method is more important than who performed it.

Common error

Avoid using "was obtained" when active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The data was obtained by the researchers", write "The researchers obtained the data" when the actor is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was obtained" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was acquired, received, or achieved. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a grammatically sound phrase that is frequently found in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was obtained" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to describe how something was acquired. According to Ludwig, this phrase is acceptable in various writing styles, from scientific reports to news articles. It's most frequently used in scientific and academic contexts, as demonstrated by numerous examples from sources like Nature and PlosOne. When using "was obtained", remember to consider whether active voice might be more direct and clear, and always ensure the context aligns with the formal tone the phrase typically conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was acquired

Emphasizes the process of gaining possession or control.

was received

Focuses on the act of getting something from someone or something.

was secured

Highlights the effort or measures taken to obtain something.

was attained

Suggests reaching a certain level or achievement.

was procured

Implies obtaining something with care or effort, often something difficult to get.

was achieved

Focuses on the successful completion of a goal.

was derived

Indicates that something was obtained from a source or origin.

was extracted

Implies the separation and obtaining of something from a mixture or compound.

was harvested

Suggests collecting something, often crops or resources.

was realized

Indicates the achievement or fulfillment of something that was planned or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "was obtained" in a sentence?

Use "was obtained" to describe how something was acquired or achieved, like "The result "was obtained" through careful experimentation".

What are some alternatives to "was obtained"?

You can use alternatives like "was acquired", "was received", or "was secured" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it best to use the passive voice with "was obtained"?

Using passive voice with "was obtained" is best when the process is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. For example, "Informed consent "was obtained" from all subjects".

Is "was obtained" formal or informal?

"Was obtained" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in formal writing, especially in scientific or technical reports where objectivity is key.