was shaped by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was shaped by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express how a thing or concept came to be in a certain form due to another thing or concept. For example, "Our understanding of democracy was shaped by the industrial revolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The album was shaped by multiple impulses.

The New York Times - Arts

"My political philosophy was shaped by......

The New Yorker

Dorothy Wordsworth's life was shaped by loss.

The New York Times - Books

Baroque processional architecture was shaped by court protocol.

The New York Times - Arts

Reese was shaped by more than the fisheries.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was shaped by the postwar, post-Watergate years instead.

The New Yorker

Arjouni's fascination with the form was shaped by external influences.

The Guardian - Books

Mirza's experience was shaped by growing up gay.

The Guardian

Every detail of Egyptian life was shaped by the flood.

The New Yorker

Hayden's childhood was shaped by two very different libraries.

The New Yorker

Hastings' history was shaped by its Hudson River location.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was shaped by" to indicate a significant influence or formative factor, particularly when discussing historical events, personal development, or artistic creation. Use specific nouns after the expression and avoid generic terms.

Common error

Avoid using "was shaped by" with overly general nouns like "factors" or "circumstances" without specifying those factors or circumstances further. Provide clear and concrete details to strengthen your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was shaped by" functions as a passive voice construction used to indicate that a subject has been significantly influenced or formed by something else. This construction allows the writer to emphasize the influencing factor rather than the subject itself. Ludwig examples show different scenarios where "was shaped by" is used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was shaped by" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express how something has been significantly influenced or formed by another entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in a wide range of writing contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its prevalence in journalistic and informative writing. When using "was shaped by", ensure the influencing factor is clear and specific to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "was influenced by" or "was molded by" for nuanced meanings. Its pervasive use across reputable sources underscores its reliability and utility in conveying formative influences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was influenced by

Focuses more directly on the concept of influence affecting the subject.

was molded by

Emphasizes the process of being formed or sculpted by something.

was determined by

Suggests a more definitive and decisive impact, implying that the outcome was decided by something.

was formed through

Highlights the process or means by which something came into being.

was impacted by

Broadly indicates that something had an effect on the subject, similar to "was influenced by".

was affected by

Similar to "was impacted by", but can also imply a negative effect.

was guided by

Indicates direction or leadership provided by something, implying a guiding force.

was driven by

Suggests a strong motivating force behind the subject's formation.

was constructed by

Emphasizes the active building or creation of something by an external force.

owes its form to

More formal way of saying something's shape or nature is a result of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "was shaped by" in a sentence?

Use "was shaped by" to indicate that something was significantly influenced or formed by a particular person, event, or idea. For example, "The artist's style was shaped by his travels in Italy."

What are some alternatives to "was shaped by"?

You can use alternatives like "was influenced by", "was molded by", or "was determined by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was shaped by" or "influenced"?

"Was shaped by" implies a more formative and profound influence than simply "influenced". The best choice depends on the degree of impact you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was shaped by" and "was affected by"?

"Was shaped by" suggests a more significant and lasting impact, often implying a change in form or character. "Was affected by" is a broader term that simply indicates an impact, which may not be as transformative.