was read

USAGE SUMMARY

"was read" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a past action that has been completed. For example: The text was read aloud by the teacher.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All I did was read.

The New Yorker

The first was: "Read books".

The New York Times

A benediction was read.

The New York Times

All he did was read.

The Guardian

Rosemary wept as the verdict was read.

The New Yorker

The quotation was read back to him.

The New York Times - Sports

Number after number was read off.

The New Yorker

The petition was read aloud in Congress.

Cornell University

The Singh Index was read by its originator.

Disease-a-Month

The news was read in Mandarin Chinese.

The New York Times

Subsequently, the FID was read out.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was read" in passive voice constructions where the action of reading is more important than the actor. This is particularly useful in scientific reports or news articles.

Common error

Avoid using "was read" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The report was read by the manager", use "The manager read the report" if the manager's action is the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was read" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject received the action of reading. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate various contexts where text, data, or signals are processed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was read" is a grammatically sound and common passive construction used to indicate that the action of reading has occurred. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct. It is frequently found in scientific and news contexts. When writing, ensure the passive voice is appropriate and that clarity is maintained by focusing on the action rather than the actor, as suggested by Ludwig's examples. Consider alternatives like "was interpreted" or "was examined" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was interpreted

Focuses on the understanding or interpretation of something, rather than the act of reading it.

was recited

Implies a formal or ceremonial reading aloud, rather than silent reading.

was perused

Indicates a thorough and careful reading, often of a document or text.

was perused

Suggests a detailed examination rather than a casual read.

was listened to

Shifts the focus to auditory reception rather than visual reading.

was examined

Implies a careful inspection or investigation, rather than a simple reading.

was scrutinized

Suggests a critical and detailed examination.

was scanned

Suggests a quick overview rather than a thorough reading.

was skimmed

Suggests a very cursory reading, focusing on main points only.

was glanced at

Suggests a very brief and superficial look.

FAQs

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

Use "was read" in passive constructions where the subject receives the action of reading, such as "The letter was read aloud" or "The data was read from the sensor".

What are some alternatives to using "was read"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was interpreted", "was recited", or "was examined".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "read"?

It depends on the context. Use active voice (e.g., "She read the book") when the subject performing the action is important. Use passive voice ("was read") when the action itself is more important or the actor is unknown.

What does "was read" imply about the action of reading?

The phrase "was read" indicates that the action of reading has been completed in the past. It's a simple past passive construction.