was occasioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was occasioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was caused or brought about by a particular event or circumstance. Example: "The delay in the project was occasioned by unforeseen technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The slight reduction in the sale price was occasioned by the delay.

The New York Times

The Supreme Court justice's dramatic First Amendment conversion was occasioned by friends.

The New York Times - Books

The first writing of literature in Japanese was occasioned by influence from China.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Battery Park diaspora was occasioned by the construction of the now-completed Ritz-Carlton hotel.

The New York Times

Her formal appearance was occasioned by the hospital's annual meeting; she addressed a mostly adoring crowd.

The New York Times

The piece was occasioned by my mother's death, on Christmas of 2008.

The New Yorker

(The painting was occasioned, McNaughton told BuzzFeed, by the Affordable Care Act).

The New Yorker

This grudging admission that causality exists in certain strictly defined and circumscribed cases was occasioned by moral, not physical, considerations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was occasioned by the resignation of his Tory predecessor, Philip Mercer, after he was accused of corruption.

The Economist

It was occasioned by a foul challenge on Lopes by Ashley Williams that several Lyon players deemed excessive.

The Guardian - Sport

His defection to Croatia was occasioned by a $50,000 payment to the Bulgarian weight lifting federation.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was occasioned" in formal writing contexts where you want to emphasize a clear cause-and-effect relationship. It adds a layer of sophistication and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was occasioned" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound stilted or pretentious in everyday contexts. Simpler alternatives like "was caused by" or "resulted from" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was occasioned" functions as a passive voice construction indicating causation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express that something was caused or brought about by a specific event or circumstance. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts to link an event to its cause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was occasioned" is a formal phrase indicating causation, meaning something was brought about by a specific event or circumstance. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable, particularly in formal writing. It is most commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When a less formal tone is desired, consider using alternatives like "was caused by" or "resulted from". Overusing "was occasioned" in casual settings may sound pretentious, so choose your words carefully based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was caused by

Directly expresses causation without the formality of "occasioned".

was brought about by

Similar to "was caused by" but emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence.

resulted from

Focuses on the outcome as a consequence of a prior event.

stemmed from

Implies the origin or root cause of the event.

arose from

Indicates the emergence or beginning of something due to a specific reason.

was prompted by

Suggests that a specific action or event incited or motivated the occurrence.

was triggered by

Emphasizes a sudden or immediate cause leading to the event.

was initiated by

Focuses on the start or commencement of an event due to a particular cause.

was determined by

Highlights that the event's outcome was decided or influenced by certain factors.

was produced by

Directly states that the event was the result of a process or action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was occasioned" is used to indicate that something was caused or brought about by a particular event or circumstance. For example: "The delay in the project "was occasioned" by unforeseen technical difficulties."

What are some alternatives to "was occasioned"?

You can use alternatives like "was caused by", "resulted from", or "was brought about by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "was occasioned" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "was occasioned" is more suitable for formal writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "was caused by" are generally preferred.

What is the difference between "was occasioned" and "was caused by"?

Both phrases indicate causation, but "was occasioned" carries a more formal and sometimes literary tone. "Was caused by" is a more direct and neutral way to express the same idea.