was spared

USAGE SUMMARY

"was spared" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone not facing a certain punishment, bad consequence, or difficult experience. For example: "Fortunately, the small town was spared any destruction from the wildfire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

No one was spared.

Forbes

Rideau was spared.

The New York Times - Books

No amenity was spared.

The New York Times

Every expense was spared.

The New York Times

Dellelo was spared this.

The New Yorker

No expense was spared.

The New Yorker

Shimer was spared.

The New York Times

Greensburg was spared.

The New York Times - Arts

(Each was spared execution).

The New York Times

I was spared further injections.

The New York Times

Only my face was spared".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was spared" to emphasize that someone or something avoided an undesirable outcome or experience, especially when others did not. For example, "While many businesses suffered during the recession, the local bakery was spared."

Common error

Ensure that the subject of the sentence agrees in number with the verb. For example, avoid saying "They was spared" and use "They were spared" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was spared" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received mercy or avoided a negative experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples show its wide application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was spared" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something avoided a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used in diverse contexts, with News & Media being the most frequent. When using "was spared", ensure subject-verb agreement and consider alternative phrases like "escaped" or "avoided" to tailor the meaning to your specific context. Remember that while "was spared" implies an avoidance of something bad, "was avoided" suggests that a deliberate action was taken to prevent it. By understanding its nuances and common usages, you can effectively incorporate the phrase "was spared" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escaped

Focuses on avoiding something dangerous or unpleasant.

avoided

Highlights the act of preventing something from happening.

was saved from

Emphasizes rescue from a negative situation.

was exempt from

Indicates a formal exclusion from an obligation or requirement.

was relieved of

Highlights the removal of a burden or responsibility.

dodged

Implies skillful avoidance of something undesirable.

evaded

Suggests clever or strategic avoidance.

was immune to

Indicates a natural or acquired resistance to something.

went unscathed

Emphasizes the lack of damage or harm.

was rescued from

Highlights the act of being saved from a dangerous situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "was spared" to indicate that someone or something avoided a negative experience or consequence. For example, "The city "was spared from" the worst of the storm".

What can I say instead of "was spared"?

You can use alternatives like "escaped", "avoided", or "was saved from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was spared" or "were spared"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was spared" for singular subjects and "were spared" for plural subjects. For example, "He was spared" versus "They were spared".

What's the difference between "was spared" and "was avoided"?

"Was spared" often implies an element of luck or external intervention, while "was avoided" suggests a deliberate action to prevent something. For example, "The city "was spared" by divine intervention", versus "The accident "was avoided" by quick thinking".