was shown to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was shown to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that was demonstrated or proved to be true. For example, "The results of the experiment were shown to be accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was shown to be true.

University of California, Berkeley

The technique was shown to be accurate.

Biosystems Engineering

Liverpool's squad was shown to be painfully thin once more.

The Guardian - Sport

"And I must say I was shown to be right.

The Guardian

Similarly, mesothorium was shown to be chemically indistinguishable from radium.

Britannica

The method was shown to be effective, sensitive, and reliable.

Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines

Shape of the analyzed sample was shown to be important.

Polymer Testing

The program accuracy was shown to be within 7%.

Powder Technology

Therapeutic ultrasound was shown to be effective for fracture repair.

Archives of Oral Biology

ES-299 was shown to be a suitable internal standard.

Journal of Chromatography B

3k was shown to be less cytotoxic with higher IC50.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was shown to be" when you want to emphasize that something has been demonstrated or proven through evidence or analysis. This phrase is particularly useful in academic and scientific writing to convey the rigor of your findings.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what "showed" the result. Avoid passive voice constructions that obscure the source of the demonstration, as this can weaken the credibility of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was shown to be" functions as a verbal phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that a subject has been demonstrated or proven to possess a certain quality or characteristic, as supported by Ludwig's examples. This construction emphasizes the result of an investigation or demonstration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was shown to be" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to indicate that something has been demonstrated or proven. As Ludwig AI explains, it's most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts, conveying objectivity and credibility. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the source of the evidence. Consider using active voice alternatives where appropriate to increase the impact of your writing. Remember to consult authoritative sources and adapt your language to suit the specific context for the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was demonstrated to be

Replaces "shown" with "demonstrated", emphasizing the act of demonstrating or proving something.

was proven to be

Substitutes "shown" with "proven", focusing on the establishment of truth or validity.

was found to be

Uses "found" instead of "shown", suggesting a discovery rather than a demonstration.

was revealed to be

Employs "revealed" to indicate that something previously unknown has come to light.

was established as

Replaces "shown to be" with "established as", implying a more formal or definitive confirmation.

was determined to be

Uses "determined" to suggest that something was ascertained after investigation or analysis.

has been proven to be

Changes the tense and voice, focusing on a past action with present relevance.

evidence suggested it was

Introduces "evidence" to emphasize evidential support for the claim.

research indicated it was

Highlights that research supported it, by adding research before indicated.

it became clear that

It uses a different sentence structure by adding it became clear.

FAQs

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

You can use "was shown to be" to indicate that something has been demonstrated or proven through evidence. For example, "The experiment "was shown to be" successful".

What are some alternatives to "was shown to be"?

Alternatives include "was demonstrated to be", "was proven to be", or "was found to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "was shown to be"?

While "was shown to be" is in the passive voice, it's acceptable when the actor is unknown or unimportant. However, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and impactful. Consider rephrasing to highlight the source of the finding if relevant.

What is the difference between "was shown to be" and "was believed to be"?

"Was shown to be" implies that something has been proven with evidence, whereas "was believed to be" indicates a held opinion or assumption without necessarily implying proof.