was shown to

USAGE SUMMARY

'was shown to' is correct and usable in written English.
'Was shown to' is used to indicate that somebody or something was demonstrated to someone else. For example, "The evidence was shown to the jury."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nullification, he said, was shown to work.

The New York Times

It was shown to me.

The Guardian

He was shown to a demonstration area.

The New York Times

I was shown to another line.

The New Yorker

The deference was shown to the Government of the day.

The Guardian

It was shown to me by Roland Wald of Denmark.

The New York Times

The transcript was shown to the trial jury.

The New Yorker

The pilot was unfinished when it was shown to HBO.

The New Yorker

Surveillance footage from this route was shown to the jury.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Benson was shown to a glassed-in luxury box.

The New Yorker

On Thursday, that was shown to have happened.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly identifies who or what "was shown" and to whom it was shown, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

While "was shown to" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rewriting sentences in the active voice for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was shown to" functions as a passive construction indicating that something was demonstrated or revealed. It's frequently used to convey that evidence or proof was presented, leading to a particular conclusion. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was shown to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something has been demonstrated or revealed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Predominantly found in science and news media, it conveys objectivity and formality. While "was shown to" is valuable for expressing demonstrated facts, writers should be mindful of passive voice overuse. Alternative phrases like "was demonstrated to" or "was proven to" can provide nuanced variations, ensuring clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was demonstrated to

Replaces "shown" with "demonstrated", emphasizing a more formal or scientific proof.

was revealed to

Substitutes "shown" with "revealed", suggesting a disclosure or uncovering of information.

was proven to

Replaces "shown" with "proven", highlighting that something has been verified or confirmed.

was exhibited to

Uses "exhibited" instead of "shown", focusing on a display or presentation.

was indicated to

Replaces "shown" with "indicated", implying a hint or suggestion rather than direct proof.

was pointed out to

Emphasizes the act of directing attention to something, making it noticeable.

was guided to

Focuses on leading someone towards understanding or a destination.

was unveiled to

Suggests a formal or ceremonious presentation.

was exposed to

Implies that something previously hidden is now visible or known.

was made apparent to

Focuses on the act of making something clear or obvious to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "was shown to" in a sentence?

Use "was shown to" to indicate that something was demonstrated or revealed. For example, "The data "was shown to support" the hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "was shown to"?

You can use alternatives like "was demonstrated to", "was revealed to", or "was proven to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a demonstration?

While "was shown to" (passive voice) is correct, using the active voice (e.g., "Researchers showed that...") can often make your writing more direct and engaging. Choose the voice that best suits the emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was shown to" and "was found to"?

"Was shown to" implies that something was actively demonstrated or presented to someone. "Was found to" suggests a discovery through investigation or research, without necessarily implying an active demonstration.