was retracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was retracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been withdrawn or taken back, such as a statement, article, or claim. Example: "The article was retracted due to inaccuracies in the data presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(He didn't have to; the decree was retracted).

The New York Times - Books

A confession by Jeannevol that he killed Blanco was retracted.

The Guardian

The exclusion was retracted after Aftenposten wrote about the matter.

The Guardian - Tech

"What I am told," he said on Friday, "is that the decision was retracted".

The New York Times

The 9,000-word 9,000-words retrarticlend removed from Rolling Stone's wassite on 5 Apretracted

The Guardian

It was retracted, and 17 lawmakers were defeated in the May primary.

The New York Times

It was retracted and corrected.

Forbes

The pericardium was retracted by Lima suture [4].

Surgical Case Reports

The patellar was retracted laterally in each case.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

This was retracted ulnarly revealing the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

LFCN was retracted to the medial side during the procedure.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was retracted" when you want to indicate that a statement, claim, or piece of information has been formally withdrawn, often due to errors or inaccuracies. Make sure the context clearly explains why the retraction occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "was retracted" when you actually mean "was refuted". "Retracted" implies a formal withdrawal by the original source, while "refuted" means someone has proven the statement to be false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was retracted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (e.g., a statement, article, claim) underwent the action of being withdrawn or taken back. As Ludwig AI states, this commonly applies when errors or inaccuracies are discovered after initial dissemination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was retracted" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that a statement, claim, or publication has been formally withdrawn. According to Ludwig AI, this is often due to errors or inaccuracies discovered after the initial release. It's appropriate for both neutral and formal registers and is frequently found in news and scientific contexts. Be sure to differentiate "was retracted" from "was refuted", as the former implies a withdrawal by the original source, while the latter suggests someone else disproved the information. Related alternatives include "was withdrawn", "was rescinded", and "was taken back". Ludwig's examples and guidance can help you use this phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was withdrawn

Focuses on the act of taking something back, similar to a formal statement or product.

was rescinded

Similar to 'revoked' but can also apply to decisions or orders.

was taken back

A more informal way of saying something was withdrawn.

was revoked

Implies a formal cancellation of a decree, license, or privilege.

was repealed

Specifically applies to the cancellation of a law or regulation.

was recanted

Emphasizes a formal withdrawal of a statement or belief, often under oath.

was disavowed

Suggests a denial of responsibility or support for something.

was invalidated

Similar to 'nullified', often used in legal or official contexts.

was nullified

Indicates that something has been made void or ineffective.

was overturned

Often used when a previous decision or judgment is reversed.

FAQs

How to use "was retracted" in a sentence?

Use "was retracted" to indicate that a statement, claim, or publication has been withdrawn, typically because it was found to be inaccurate or invalid. For example, "The study "was retracted" after data falsification was discovered".

What can I say instead of "was retracted"?

You can use alternatives like "was withdrawn", "was rescinded", or "was taken back" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the statement was retracted"?

Yes, it is correct. "The statement "was retracted"" means that the statement was formally withdrawn or taken back, usually due to inaccuracies or other issues.

What's the difference between "was retracted" and "was refuted"?

"Was retracted" means the original source withdrew the information, usually admitting it was flawed. "Was refuted" means someone else proved the information to be incorrect.