was put off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was put off' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a passive verb phrase which indicates that an action was delayed or postponed. For example, "I was put off from starting the project until the following week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That was put off.

The Economist

Mr. Nirenberg was put off.

The New York Times

He was put off, but only temporarily.

Independent

In November, the deal was put off.

The New York Times

But was put off by the cover.

The New Yorker

Dresser was put off by his informality.

The New Yorker

The business manager was put off.

The New York Times - Sports

I was put off by it.

The New York Times - Arts

But their visit was put off.

The New York Times

The matter was put off because of the language barrier.

The New York Times

But over time he was put off by Rubio's ambition.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was put off", ensure the context clearly identifies what caused the delay or discouragement. For example, "The meeting was put off due to unforeseen circumstances".

Common error

Avoid using "was put off" when you intend to express active discouragement. For example, instead of "He was put off the idea", use "He dismissed the idea" to convey a proactive decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was put off" functions as a passive verb phrase. It is used to indicate that someone or something experienced discouragement or that an event was postponed. Ludwig AI examples show both usages in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was put off" is a versatile and commonly used passive verb phrase indicating discouragement or postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its usage should be tailored to fit the intended tone. Common errors involve misusing the preposition or misunderstanding the passive voice. Alternatives such as "was discouraged by" or "was delayed" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. With a high source quality score and expert rating, understanding and properly employing "was put off" can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discouraged by

Focuses on the feeling of discouragement caused by something.

was deterred by

Emphasizes the action of being prevented or dissuaded from doing something.

was dissuaded from

Highlights the act of convincing someone not to do something.

was turned off by

Indicates a loss of interest or attraction.

was repelled by

Conveys a strong feeling of disgust or aversion.

was postponed until

Focuses on the action of delaying something to a later time.

was delayed due to

Emphasizes the reason for the delay.

was shelved indefinitely

Suggests that something has been put aside with no specific plans to revisit it.

felt aversion to

Highlights a feeling of intense dislike.

experienced reluctance towards

Indicates a hesitation or unwillingness to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "was put off" in a sentence?

You can use "was put off" to indicate discouragement or postponement. For example, "I was put off by the high price" or "The meeting was put off until next week".

What's a good alternative to "was put off" when referring to discouragement?

Alternatives include "was discouraged by", "was deterred by", or "was turned off by". Choose the one that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was put off" and "was delayed"?

"Was put off" can imply both discouragement and postponement, while "was delayed" primarily refers to postponement. For instance, "The project was delayed" indicates it's happening later, whereas "I was put off by the project" suggests I don't want to do it because of something.

Is it correct to say "I was put off to do something"?

No, the correct usage is "I was put off by something" or "something was put off until a later time". The preposition "by" is used to indicate the cause of discouragement. For example, "I was put off by the long wait" is correct.