was recovered

USAGE SUMMARY

"was recovered" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is the past tense passive form of the verb "recover," which means to retrieve or regain something that was lost or stolen. Here is an example of how "was recovered" can be used in a sentence: "The stolen car was recovered by the police a few days after the theft." In this sentence, "was recovered" indicates that the action of recovering the car was done by someone else (the police) and has already happened in the past. This phrase is often used in news stories or police reports to describe the retrieval of stolen or lost items. Another example: "The football player was sidelined for several months due to a serious injury, but he was eventually able to return to the field after his strength was recovered." In this sentence, "was recovered" is used to describe the player's physical recovery from an injury. It implies that the recovery process was gradual and took some time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That knife was recovered".

Independent

It was recovered intact.

The New York Times

No gun was recovered.

The New York Times

No knife was recovered.

The New York Times

Mudassir was recovered, unconscious.

The Guardian

The bullet was recovered.

The New York Times

The jewelry was recovered.

The New York Times

The money was recovered.

The New York Times

The bomb was recovered.

The New York Times

A gun was recovered nearby.

The New York Times

The sculpture was recovered Saturday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was recovered" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the object or entity that is being recovered rather than the agent performing the recovery. For example, "The stolen painting was recovered" is more focused on the painting than who recovered it.

Common error

Avoid using "was recovered" excessively in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. Over-reliance on passive voice can make writing sound vague or unnecessarily formal. Instead of "The evidence was recovered by the detective", consider "The detective recovered the evidence" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was recovered" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being recovered. Ludwig's examples show it's commonly used in contexts where the focus is on the object or person being found or retrieved, rather than on the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was recovered" is a frequently used passive verb phrase indicating that something has been retrieved or regained. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears most often in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific reporting. While neutral in tone, overuse can lead to overly formal writing, so consider active voice alternatives where appropriate. Related phrases like "has been retrieved" or "was reclaimed" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to prioritize clarity and engagement in your writing by choosing the most effective voice for your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been retrieved

Uses "retrieved" which emphasizes the act of finding and bringing something back, differing slightly from simply regaining possession.

has been regained

Emphasizes the act of getting something back after a loss, highlighting the restoration aspect.

was reclaimed

Indicates the act of recovering something that was previously lost or taken, often with a sense of asserting a right or claim.

was restored

Focuses on returning something to its original condition or state, emphasizing the repair or renewal aspect.

was found

A simpler alternative that indicates the object was located, without necessarily implying it was previously lost or stolen.

came into possession

Shifts the focus to the act of gaining control or ownership, rather than the recovery itself.

was successfully located

Emphasizes the success of the search or effort to find something, adding a layer of accomplishment.

was brought back

Highlights the action of returning something to its original place or owner, stressing the movement aspect.

was reacquired

Focuses on acquiring something again, suggesting a formal or deliberate act of regaining possession.

was secured

Emphasizes the act of making something safe and protected, implying a potential threat or risk before the recovery.

FAQs

How is "was recovered" used in a sentence?

"Was recovered" indicates that something lost or stolen has been found. For example, "The missing artifact was recovered after an extensive search."

What are some alternatives to "was recovered"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "has been retrieved", "was reclaimed", or "was restored".

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

The choice depends on the emphasis. Passive voice ("The money was recovered") emphasizes the object, while active voice ("Police recovered the money") emphasizes the actor.

What is the difference between "was recovered" and "was discovered"?

"Was recovered" implies something was lost and then found, while "was discovered" simply means something was found, without necessarily implying it was previously lost. For instance, you'd say "The treasure was recovered" but "A new species was discovered".