was often used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was often used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was frequently utilized or employed in the past. Example: "In the early 20th century, this method was often used in scientific research to gather data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For this reason, the symbol was often used in amulets.

Britannica

The kesi technique was often used to copy famous paintings.

Britannica

It was often used rather than the violin in recording because its sound cut through better.

The Guardian - Music

What was often used to justify this paradox was obeisance to marital privacy.

The New Yorker

In 1958 the word "triggered" was often used & has now vanished.

The New Yorker

Traditional still-life painting was often used to represent the transience of life.

The New York Times

Dr. Sternberg said opening a magnet school was often used to address racial imbalance.

The New York Times

It was later found that the program was often used as a means to funnel kickbacks.

The New York Times

In the case of Adams, the actor Stephen Rea was often used to voice his words.

The Guardian

Whip This type of whip was often used aboard slave ships.

The New York Times - Arts

It's associated with fidelity and was often used in love potions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. The phrase can be vague if the reader doesn't know what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "was often used", as it can make your writing sound less direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice: "People often used this method".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was often used" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being used. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct. It describes a state or condition resulting from a past action, emphasizing the frequency of use rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was often used" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction indicating frequent past usage. Ludwig AI states it's correct. While its frequency makes it a valuable tool for describing historical trends and common practices, writers should be mindful of overuse and potential passive voice weaknesses. By considering alternatives, focusing on clarity, and choosing the appropriate register, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing. It is most prevalent in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias" and "Science" domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was frequently employed

Replaces "often" with "frequently" and "used" with "employed", adding a slightly more formal tone.

was commonly utilized

Substitutes "often" with "commonly" and "used" with "utilized", resulting in a more formal and technical phrasing.

was regularly applied

Replaces "often" with "regularly" and "used" with "applied", suggesting a consistent and routine application.

was habitually practiced

Changes "often" to "habitually" and "used" to "practiced", implying a habitual or customary action.

was widely adopted

Replaces "often used" with "widely adopted", indicating a broad acceptance and implementation.

was repeatedly implemented

Emphasizes the repeated nature of the usage by using "repeatedly implemented" instead of "often used".

was customarily exercised

Replaces "often" with "customarily" and "used" with "exercised", denoting a practice based on custom or tradition.

saw frequent use

Restructures the sentence to use an active voice construction, emphasizing the frequency of the usage.

became a common practice

Shifts the focus to the establishment of a common practice, rather than the act of using itself.

was a typical method

Highlights the typicality of the method, suggesting it was a standard or conventional approach.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was often used" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "was frequently employed", "was commonly utilized", or "was regularly applied".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was often used"?

While "was often used" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "People often used") can make your writing more direct and engaging. Choose the voice that best suits your intended emphasis and style.

What are some synonyms for "often" in the phrase "was often used"?

Synonyms for "often" include "frequently", "commonly", "regularly", "repeatedly", and "typically". These can be used to vary your language and provide different nuances.

How can I use "was often used" in a sentence?

You can use "was often used" to describe something that frequently occurred or was employed in the past. For example: "This tool "was often used" in the early stages of the project".