was solved by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was solved by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the agent or method through which a problem or issue was resolved. Example: "The complex equation was solved by the mathematician using advanced algorithms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The oil-flow problem was solved by an outsider, said Scott Pegau, its research program manager.

The New York Times - Science

The problem was solved by moving the bin eight feet away from the neighbor's apartment.

The New York Times - Science

The impasse was solved by the timely passing of one of the Council members.

The New York Times

The intermittent electricity supply was solved by the introduction of solar power.

The Guardian

Willie's murder was unusual; the mystery was solved by a duck.

The New Yorker

In the end, his marriage calculus was solved by the tricky factor of love.

The New York Times

The supply problem was solved by the development of synthetic cryolite.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This difficulty was solved by J.B. Clark (c. 1900) with his theory of marginal products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This particular problem was solved by 66% of the participating students in 2009.

The New York Times

The problem of humidity was solved by canal irrigation of both the floodwater and permanent type.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The problem was solved by inserting appropriate dyes in the emulsion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was solved by", ensure that the agent or method that provided the solution is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The mystery was solved by the detective's meticulous investigation."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "was solved by" if it obscures the actor or makes the sentence unnecessarily wordy. Prefer active voice when appropriate, such as "The detective solved the mystery."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was solved by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (solving) was performed on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use. It identifies the agent or method responsible for achieving a resolution or answer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was solved by" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used passive construction to indicate how a problem was resolved. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, from scientific research to news reports. While it is widely accepted, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for more direct communication. The phrase is particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts. Remember to clearly identify the agent or method responsible for providing the solution when using "was solved by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was resolved through

Emphasizes the process or method used to find a solution.

was addressed via

Highlights the means or channel through which a solution was implemented.

was handled by

Focuses on the person or entity responsible for managing the situation.

found a solution in

Indicates where the resolution or answer to the issue was located.

the answer lay in

Highlights the source from which a solution originated.

was figured out by

Suggests someone clarified or understood the matter.

was cracked by

Conveys a sense of overcoming a difficult challenge.

was overcome through

Indicates a problem was successfully surpassed by some action or method.

the key was

Highlights what was essential for solving a situation.

was unraveled by

Suggests that a mystery or complex situation was clarified.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was solved by" is used to indicate how a problem or puzzle was resolved. For example, "The mathematical problem was solved by using calculus".

What are some alternatives to "was solved by"?

You can use alternatives like "was resolved through", "was addressed via", or "was handled by" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how a problem was solved?

While "was solved by" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The algorithm solved the problem") can often make your writing more direct and concise.

What's the difference between "was solved by" and "was addressed by"?

"Was solved by" implies a complete resolution of a problem, while "was addressed by" suggests that steps were taken to deal with the problem, but it may not have been fully resolved.