was regarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was regarded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate how someone or something was perceived or considered by others in the past. Example: "He was regarded as one of the greatest artists of his time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— was regarded as a dud.

The New Yorker

This was regarded as a humiliation.

Independent

Her claim was regarded as potentially significant.

Independent

For Japan, Manchuria was regarded as vital.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neither fire was regarded as suspicious.

The New York Times

P < 0.05 was regarded as significant.

Nature

Christianity itself was regarded as a philosophy.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was regarded as a liability.

The Guardian - Music

"Beckett was regarded as something for highbrows.

The New York Times

His approach was regarded as primitive.

The Guardian

It was regarded as absolutely pointless.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was regarded" to objectively describe how something or someone was perceived by a group or within a specific context. For example: "The policy was regarded as a success by most economists."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "was regarded", as it can sometimes make your writing sound indirect or less engaging. Consider using active voice when appropriate for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was regarded" functions primarily as a passive construction used to describe how a subject was perceived or considered. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction places emphasis on the object of the action rather than the actor. Numerous examples in the data show its use in attributing an opinion or assessment to a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was regarded" is a versatile phrase used to describe the perception or consideration of something, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across numerous sources. This passive construction is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral formality. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "was considered" or "was viewed as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of overusing passive voice to keep your writing clear and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was considered

This alternative is the simplest replacement, maintaining the same structure and conveying a similar sense of opinion or assessment.

was deemed

This alternative is more formal and suggests a judgment or official decision.

was viewed as

This alternative emphasizes the act of perceiving or looking at something in a particular way.

was seen as

This alternative is more colloquial than "was regarded" and implies a common or widespread perception.

was looked upon as

This alternative adds a more subjective or personal element to the assessment.

was thought of as

This alternative conveys a sense of contemplation or reflection in forming an opinion.

was held to be

This alternative is more formal and suggests a strong belief or conviction.

was reputed to be

This alternative implies that the perception is based on hearsay or general reputation.

was understood as

This alternative focuses on comprehension and interpretation.

was characterized as

This alternative focuses on highlighting particular qualities or attributes.

FAQs

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

Use "was regarded" to indicate how someone or something was perceived or considered by others. For example, "The experiment "was regarded" as a breakthrough in the field."

What's a more formal way to say "was regarded"?

A more formal alternative to "was regarded" is "was deemed". This implies a more official judgment or decision.

Is there a difference between "was regarded as" and "was seen as"?

While both phrases are similar, "was seen as" often implies a more general or common perception, whereas "was regarded as" can indicate a more specific or considered opinion.

What are some alternatives to "was regarded" that emphasize understanding?

If you want to emphasize comprehension, you could use "was understood as" instead of "was regarded". This highlights the way something was interpreted.