was snapped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was snapped up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been quickly taken or acquired, often in a competitive context. Example: "The limited edition sneakers were snapped up within minutes of their release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I thought he was snapped up".

The New York Times

It was snapped up for distribution.

The Guardian - Film

Autumn was snapped up by Richard Attenborough.

The Guardian - Arts

The retail offering was snapped up within 45 minutes.

The Economist

The cleared land was snapped up by experienced soybean growers.

The New York Times

It was snapped up by Charles Saatchi for £40,000.

The Guardian - Arts

Their work was snapped up by a new generation of young collectors.

The Economist

Mario Mandzukic was 26 when he was snapped up by Bayern.

Independent

The piece was snapped up by the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan.

The New York Times - Arts

It was snapped up in just four days, for more than the asking price.

The New York Times

In 2012 Ross was snapped up to become in-house producer for Kanye West's GOOD Music.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was snapped up" when you want to convey that something was acquired quickly and often competitively. This phrase works well in contexts involving limited availability or high demand.

Common error

Avoid using "was snapped up" in situations where the acquisition was slow or unwanted. This phrase implies eagerness and speed, so ensure it aligns with the context of the acquisition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was snapped up" functions as a passive voice construction of a phrasal verb. It describes an action where something or someone is quickly and eagerly acquired or taken, often due to high demand or desirability. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was snapped up" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the rapid and eager acquisition of something or someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in contexts where items or individuals are in high demand, leading to swift acquisition. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "was snapped up" effectively conveys a sense of urgency and competition. When aiming for a more formal tone, alternatives like "was quickly acquired" or "was promptly secured" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was quickly acquired

Replaces the idiomatic "snapped up" with a more straightforward and literal term.

was rapidly purchased

Focuses on the speed of the purchase, similar to the quick action implied by "snapped up".

was swiftly obtained

Emphasizes the ease and speed with which something was acquired.

was eagerly seized

Highlights the enthusiasm or eagerness in acquiring something.

was promptly secured

Focuses on the act of securing something quickly and efficiently.

was taken immediately

Highlights the immediacy of the action, suggesting no delay in acquisition.

was claimed without delay

Stresses that there was no delay involved in claiming or acquiring something.

was hand-picked quickly

Implies a selection process that happened fast due to high desirability.

was selected posthaste

Uses a more formal tone to indicate something was chosen and acquired very quickly.

was procured without hesitation

Focuses on the decisiveness and lack of hesitation in acquiring something.

FAQs

How can I use "was snapped up" in a sentence?

Use "was snapped up" to indicate that something was acquired quickly and eagerly. For example, "The tickets "were snapped up" within minutes of going on sale".

What's a more formal alternative to "was snapped up"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "was quickly acquired" or "was promptly secured".

Is it appropriate to use "was snapped up" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "was snapped up" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider more neutral alternatives such as "was obtained" or "was acquired".

What does "was snapped up" imply about the item or person being acquired?

"Was snapped up" suggests that the item or person "was highly desirable" or in demand, leading to a quick acquisition.