was solved

USAGE SUMMARY

"was solved" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a past tense verb phrase that indicates an action or problem that has been resolved or figured out. Example: The mystery of the missing necklace was solved when the detective discovered the culprit's fingerprints on the window sill.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That problem was solved.

The New York Times - Science

It was solved within seconds".

Independent

But it was solved so quickly.

The Guardian - Arts

The mystery of Spector's money was solved.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One mystery was solved; another initiated.

The New York Times - Sports

Social Security, with all its troubles, was solved.

The New York Times

If that was solved he would go," he said.

The Guardian

My case was solved a long time ago.

The Guardian

I also felt the final battle was solved too easily.

The Guardian

Yesterday the mystery of this puzzling silence was solved.

The New York Times

Whatever bothered Bryant was solved with McKie's injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was solved" when you want to emphasize that a problem or mystery has been successfully resolved, often through effort or investigation. For example, "The complex equation was solved by the brilliant mathematician."

Common error

Avoid using "was solved" when an active construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The puzzle was solved by John", consider "John solved the puzzle" if the focus is on John's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was solved" functions as a passive voice construction, specifically the past simple passive. It indicates that a problem, mystery, or equation has been successfully addressed and resolved. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was solved" is a versatile and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies the successful resolution of a problem, puzzle, or mystery. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard English grammar. Its prevalence spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and professional communications, making it a valuable element in both formal and informal writing. While "was solved" is generally suitable, writers should consider whether an active voice construction might be more appropriate to emphasize the actor involved. Alternatives such as "was resolved", "was figured out", and "was addressed" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was resolved

This alternative suggests a more formal or official solution to a problem or conflict.

was figured out

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes the process of understanding or discovering a solution.

was addressed

This alternative implies that attention was given to a problem, leading to a resolution.

was cleared up

This alternative suggests that confusion or uncertainty has been removed, leading to a solution.

was straightened out

This alternative is more informal and implies that a disorganized or complicated situation has been resolved.

was determined

This alternative suggests that a conclusion or answer has been reached after investigation or consideration.

was unraveled

This alternative is often used when a mystery or complex situation is solved by revealing the truth.

was deciphered

This alternative implies that a code or something difficult to understand was successfully interpreted.

was worked out

This alternative emphasizes the effort and process involved in finding a solution.

was overcome

This alternative suggests that a challenge or obstacle was successfully dealt with.

FAQs

How can I use "was solved" in a sentence?

Use "was solved" to indicate that a problem or mystery has been successfully resolved. For example, "The crime was solved due to the detective's keen observation skills."

What are some alternatives to "was solved"?

You can use alternatives like "was resolved", "was figured out", or "was addressed" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when "was solved" is an option?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on what you want to emphasize. Use passive voice ("was solved") when you want to focus on the action or the object that was acted upon, rather than the actor. If you want to emphasize the actor, use active voice.

What's the difference between "was solved" and "was resolved"?

"Was solved" typically implies a problem or mystery has been figured out, while "was resolved" often suggests a conflict or dispute has been settled.