was spared from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was spared from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something was saved from a negative outcome or situation. Example: "He was spared from the harsh consequences of his actions due to his young age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The state was spared from severe surges.

The Guardian

Mr. Hogan, 46, was spared from criticism in that investigation.

The New York Times

He was spared from facing any more hitters.

The New York Times - Sports

"But I was spared from death because God wished it".

The Guardian

I was spared from writing about a topic I hadn't sufficiently considered.

The New York Times

The chapel adjacent to the Main Building was spared from the flames.

The New York Times

Not that management was spared from the whims of the Coors clan.

The New York Times

Alas, my baseball career fizzled in my teenage years, so I was spared from my nightmare.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Santos's home rests on higher ground and was spared from the floodwaters.

The New York Times

(Emil was spared from the fire, on account of its popularity).

The Guardian - Books

Nearly ten years have passed since Kenneth Foster, Jr., was spared from execution.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was spared from" to emphasize that someone or something narrowly avoided a negative experience. It conveys a sense of relief or good fortune.

Common error

Avoid using "spare from" in the active voice when you mean to say someone actively prevented something. "The city spared the neighborhood from demolition" is grammatically incorrect; instead, use "The city saved the neighborhood from demolition."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was spared from" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject avoided a negative experience or outcome. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various contexts, from natural disasters to personal hardships, demonstrating its versatility in conveying the idea of being exempt from something unpleasant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was spared from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating the avoidance of a negative experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is evident across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When writing, remember that using "was spared from" in the passive voice emphasizes the good fortune of avoiding something unpleasant. If you are in active voice, remember that you have to use "saved from" instead. Be mindful of this difference to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was saved from

Suggests protection from a negative outcome, often through timely intervention.

was protected from

Emphasizes a proactive measure to shield someone or something from harm.

was rescued from

Implies an active intervention to remove someone or something from a dangerous situation.

avoided

Highlights the action of intentionally keeping away from something undesirable.

was kept safe from

Stresses the maintenance of safety and security, implying ongoing protection.

escaped

Focuses on the act of avoiding a negative situation, often by chance or quick action.

was delivered from

Suggests a form of liberation or rescue, often with a spiritual or religious connotation.

was exempted from

Similar to 'excused from', but often used in more formal or legal contexts.

was excused from

Indicates exemption from an obligation or duty.

was immune to

Highlights resistance or invulnerability to a negative influence or effect.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was spared from" is used to indicate that someone or something avoided an undesirable situation. For example: "The town "was spared from" the worst of the storm."

What's a synonym for "was spared from"?

Alternatives to "was spared from" include phrases such as "was saved from", "was rescued from", or "was protected from".

Is it correct to say "was spared to" instead of "was spared from"?

No, "was spared to" is not typically correct. The correct preposition to use with "spared" in this context is "from". Using "to" would change the meaning of the sentence.

What does it mean when something "was spared from" something else?

It means that the thing or person in question avoided experiencing the negative effects of the "something else". For example, if a building "was spared from" a fire, it means the building did not burn down.