was rented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was rented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was leased or borrowed in the past. Example: "The apartment was rented to a new tenant last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Until it was rented.

The New York Times

It was rented to a tenant.

The New York Times

Every house was rented out.

The Guardian

One side was rented out.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was rented by someone else.

The New York Times

A little set of offices was rented.

The Guardian

(That house later was rented for $2,600 a month).

The New York Times

(He seemed relieved when I told him it was rented).

The New York Times

Instead, it was rented out for the "Cold Mountain" crew.

The New York Times

The apartments were used for guests; one was rented out.

The New York Times

Two days after the Schaerbeek flat was rented, another home was rented for a year in the city of Charleroi, this time using the pseudonym Ibrahim Maaroufi.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was rented" to clearly indicate that an item or property was obtained for temporary use in exchange for payment. This phrase is straightforward and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "rent" as a past participle. Instead of saying "The car is rent", use the correct form: "The car was rented".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was rented" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being rented. It highlights that something was obtained for temporary use, usually in exchange for payment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was rented" is a grammatically sound and very common passive verb phrase used to describe a past rental transaction. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, its usage spans various formality levels, though it leans towards a neutral register. When seeking alternatives, consider "was leased" or "was hired" to convey similar meanings. Avoid incorrect forms like "was rent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was leased

Indicates a formal agreement for temporary use, similar to "was rented".

was hired

Suggests temporary use, often for equipment or services, close in meaning to "was rented".

was let

Commonly used in British English, meaning "was rented" or leased.

was chartered

Implies renting a vehicle, such as a boat or plane, for a specific period.

was borrowed

Indicates temporary use without payment, unlike "was rented" which implies a fee.

was obtained

Signifies acquiring something, not necessarily through renting, but could imply temporary possession.

was taken on loan

Similar to borrowed, suggesting temporary use with an expectation of return.

was temporarily occupied

Focuses on the act of occupying a space for a limited time, possibly by renting.

was temporarily possessed

Highlights the temporary nature of ownership or control, similar to renting.

was given temporary use of

Emphasizes the act of granting temporary access, which could involve a rental agreement.

FAQs

How to use "was rented" in a sentence?

Use "was rented" to describe a past action where something was obtained for temporary use in exchange for payment. For example, "The apartment "was rented" to a new tenant last week".

What can I say instead of "was rented"?

You can use alternatives like "was leased", "was hired", or "was let" depending on the context. The first two options usually apply for items, while the last is often used for properties.

Which is correct, "was rented" or "was rent"?

"Was rented" is the correct past participle form. "Was rent" is grammatically incorrect. You can also verify this information with Ludwig AI.

What's the difference between "was rented" and "is rented"?

"Was rented" refers to a past action, indicating that something has already been rented. "Is rented" refers to a present state, indicating that something is currently being rented.