was squashed between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was squashed between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is compressed or trapped in a confined space between two objects or entities. Example: "The book was squashed between the two heavy boxes on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"I wanted to make sure the drama was squashed between us.

The New York Times

The doctors found I had a thing called a "pelvic kidney": my kidney was squashed between my appendix and my uterus.

The Guardian - Music

There I was on a flight from New Orleans to Cincinnati and, just as you were, I was squashed between two rather large individuals, second-to-last row in coach, my spanking brand-new G3 laptop in hand.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was squashed between all these people".

BBC

At the time of the attack she was "squashed between friends and teachers on the benches of the open-back truck used as a school bus".

BBC

Acorn, once the most popular PC brand in the U.K. and the first to come complete with built-in networking capacity, was squashed between a downturn in the PC industry and the ascendency of Microsoft as the global standard.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We have been squashed between New York and Milan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is squashed between the strength of the BBC's brand and the power of the big American players.

The Economist

Last year she had skipped the time trial in the World Championships because it had been squashed between sprint heats, her main target for Beijing.

Independent

GET YOUR BEARINGS First settled by the Greeks in 4BC, Nice is squashed between the Mediterranean and three hills, the beginnings of the Prealps.

Independent

A glance upwards, however, reminds you that everything in Chile is squashed between the Andes and a lower coastal mountain range, green, arable land often a mere sliver beside a wall of barren rock.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was squashed between", ensure the context clearly defines the entities or objects doing the squashing. This provides clarity and strengthens the imagery.

Common error

Avoid using "was squashed between" in overly abstract or metaphorical contexts where the physical imagery doesn't translate well. Opt for more suitable alternatives like "caught between" or "torn between" when dealing with abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was squashed between" functions primarily as a descriptive element within a sentence. It employs a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being compressed. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this phrase commonly details a physical state or spatial relationship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was squashed between" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to depict confinement or compression, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to vividly describe situations where something is tightly packed. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid overuse in abstract contexts where its physical imagery might not translate effectively. Related phrases such as "was compressed between" and "was squeezed between" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, offering options to fine-tune expression in different contexts. Remember to use caution on overuse in abstract context. Ludwig's analysis showcases a useful phrase in English, with various usages and alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was compressed between

Replaces "squashed" with "compressed", focusing on the physical act of pressing together.

was squeezed between

Uses "squeezed" to emphasize the tight fit and potential discomfort.

was wedged between

Highlights the difficulty of movement due to being tightly packed.

was jammed between

Suggests a forceful insertion into a confined space.

was trapped between

Focuses on the inability to escape the confined position.

was positioned between

Neutral phrasing indicating placement without emphasizing compression.

was located between

Similar to "positioned between", but emphasizes location.

was situated among

Broader term suggesting a location among multiple items or entities.

found itself between

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of being located there.

was sandwiched between

More informal, evoking the image of a sandwich filling.

FAQs

How can I use "was squashed between" in a sentence?

Use "was squashed between" to describe something or someone being tightly packed or compressed between two other things. For example, "The book was squashed between the two heavy boxes."

What can I say instead of "was squashed between"?

You can use alternatives like "was compressed between", "was squeezed between", or "was wedged between" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was squashed among" instead of "was squashed between"?

While grammatically correct, "was squashed among" implies being surrounded by multiple items, whereas "was squashed between" implies being compressed between two specific items. Choose the phrasing that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "was squashed between" and "was caught between"?

"Was squashed between" usually refers to physical compression, while "was caught between" often refers to being in a difficult situation or conflict between two opposing forces or ideas.