was stabbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was stabbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event where someone was injured by a sharp object, typically in a narrative or report about a violent incident. Example: "The victim was stabbed during the altercation and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another says she was stabbed.

The Economist

I was stabbed.

The Guardian

Once, I was stabbed with a knife.

The New Yorker

She told me she was stabbed.

The New York Times

was stabbed in Ankara, outside party headquarters.

The New Yorker

She was stabbed in the neck.

The New York Times

Yudina was stabbed to death.

The Guardian - Sport

She was stabbed, not shot.

The New York Times

Tate was stabbed 16 times.

The Guardian

A teacher was stabbed recently.

The Guardian

Mr. Hamilton was stabbed and beaten to death.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting an incident, provide context by specifying the location, time, and any other relevant details surrounding the event where someone "was stabbed".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying who "was stabbed" and, if known, who committed the act. Omission can lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was stabbed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being stabbed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was stabbed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts, to report incidents of violence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a passive construction, emphasizing the recipient of the action. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying both the victim and, if known, the perpetrator to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "sustained a stab wound" or "was knifed" exist, "was stabbed" maintains a neutral register suitable for objective reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained a stab wound

Focuses on the resulting injury rather than the act of stabbing.

was knifed

Uses a more informal term for stabbing, implying the use of a knife.

was attacked with a knife

Emphasizes the act of attack and specifies the weapon used.

received a knife wound

Similar to 'sustained a stab wound' but specifies the weapon.

was slashed

Suggests a broad, sweeping cut rather than a piercing wound.

was impaled

Implies being pierced through with a sharp object.

was stuck with a blade

Describes the action in a more descriptive way.

was pierced by a sharp object

A more general description, not necessarily implying malicious intent.

suffered a puncture wound

Highlights the type of wound received.

endured a stabbing

Focuses on the victim's experience of the attack.

FAQs

How to use "was stabbed" in a sentence?

The phrase "was stabbed" is used to describe an event where someone has been injured by a sharp object. For example, "The victim "was stabbed" during the robbery and required immediate medical attention."

What can I say instead of "was stabbed"?

You can use alternatives like "sustained a stab wound", "was knifed", or "was attacked with a knife depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was stabbed" or "got stabbed"?

"Was stabbed" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct, especially in formal writing or news reports. "Got stabbed" is more informal but still commonly used in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "was stabbed" and "had been stabbed"?

"Was stabbed" describes a single event in the past. "Had been stabbed" indicates that the stabbing occurred before another point in the past. For example, "He "was stabbed" yesterday" versus "He had been stabbed before the police arrived".