was on display

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was on display" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is exhibited or shown to the public, such as in a museum, store, or art gallery. Example: The famous painting by Vincent Van Gogh was on display at the Louvre Museum for only a limited time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was on display Thursday.

The New York Times

"My own was on display, I think".

The New York Times

The evidence was on display Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Ethnic rage was on display.

The New York Times

This mistrust was on display again today.

The New York Times

The contrast was on display Friday.

The Washington Post

That hostility was on display Wednesday.

The New York Times

The evidence was on display on Tuesday.

The New York Times

That dichotomy was on display Tuesday.

The New York Times

That dynamic was on display in May and June.

The Washington Post

A large "Partnering for the Soldier" banner was on display.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was on display" to clearly indicate that something was available for public viewing, such as in museums, galleries, or exhibitions. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is on display" when referring to something that was exhibited in the past. Ensure the tense aligns with the timeframe you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was on display" functions as a descriptive predicate, indicating the state of being publicly exhibited or available for viewing. It connects a subject (the item being displayed) with the action of being shown. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Arts

10%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was on display" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used expression to describe something that was publicly exhibited or available for viewing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is used across various contexts, including news, arts, and sports, maintaining a neutral register. When writing, ensure the tense aligns with the timeframe you're discussing and consider using synonyms like "was exhibited" or "was showcased" for nuanced meaning. This phrase serves to inform the reader of the item's public presentation, as evidenced by the numerous examples Ludwig provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was exhibited

Focuses specifically on the act of showing something publicly, like in a museum or gallery.

was showcased

Emphasizes the presentation of something in an attractive or favorable way.

was presented

Highlights the act of formally introducing or offering something for view.

was revealed

Suggests that something previously hidden or unknown became visible.

was demonstrated

Implies that something was shown as proof or evidence.

was available for viewing

Formally indicates that something could be seen or inspected.

was in view

Simply states that something was visible or within sight.

was made visible

Highlights the action of something becoming able to be seen.

was put on show

An informal way of saying something was presented for public viewing.

was unveiled

Indicates a formal or ceremonial revealing of something new.

FAQs

How can I use "was on display" in a sentence?

Use "was on display" to indicate something that was available for public viewing at a specific time. For example, "The artist's early works "were on display" at the gallery last month."

What are some alternatives to "was on display"?

You can use phrases like "was exhibited", "was showcased", or "was presented" as alternatives to "was on display", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is on display" instead of "was on display"?

The choice between "is on display" and "was on display" depends on the time frame. Use "is on display" for something currently being shown, and "was on display" for something shown in the past.

What does "was on display" imply about the item being described?

It implies that the item was intentionally made available for public viewing, often highlighting its importance or significance within a specific context.