was stirred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was stirred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action where something is mixed or agitated, often in a culinary context or metaphorically to indicate a change in emotions or thoughts. Example: "The pot of soup was stirred gently to ensure all the ingredients were well combined."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tewksbury was stirred.

The New Yorker

The reaction was stirred overnight at rt.

Nature

I was stirred by memories of Callas.

The New York Times

But I was stirred by Colin's song.

Independent

The biphasic mixture was stirred vigorously for 2 h.

Nature

The reaction was stirred at 50 °C for 24 h.

Nature

The suspension was stirred over night at room temperature.

Nature

The mixture was stirred under reflux for 72 h.

Nature

The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 2 h.

Nature

The solution was stirred until all the gelator had dissolved.

Nature

The mixture was stirred at this temperature for 24 h.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific contexts, always specify the method or instrument used to stir, such as "The solution was stirred magnetically" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was stirred" literally with inanimate objects that cannot be physically agitated unless you are intentionally using personification. For example, instead of "The mixture was stirred by the wind", a better phrasing would be "The mixture was agitated by the wind" or "The wind stirred the mixture".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was stirred" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent an action performed by an external agent, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in both scientific contexts (a mixture being stirred) and emotional contexts (someone being stirred by memories).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was stirred" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to describe both physical agitation and emotional arousal. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and it's commonly found in both scientific and news contexts. While using it to describe emotions, ensure the subject can experience them, and specify the method of stirring in scientific contexts to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like ""was moved"" or ""was agitated"" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was moved

This alternative focuses on the emotional impact rather than the physical action, implying a deep emotional response.

was agitated

This alternative suggests a more forceful or disturbed reaction, often implying anxiety or unrest.

was motivated

This phrase indicates that something caused someone to take action, emphasizing the driving force behind the action.

was influenced

This alternative suggests that something had an effect on someone's opinion or behavior, highlighting the impact.

was prompted

This implies that something encouraged or caused an action or feeling, focusing on the instigation.

was inspired

This emphasizes a feeling of enthusiasm or creativity being sparked by something.

was roused

This suggests being awakened or stirred from a state of inactivity or complacency.

was stimulated

This focuses on the idea of something being encouraged to develop or become more active.

was excited

This alternative conveys a sense of anticipation and enthusiasm.

was awakened

This suggests a sudden realization or awareness, implying a shift in perception.

FAQs

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

You can use "was stirred" to describe a physical action, like "The soup was stirred constantly", or an emotional reaction, such as "He "was moved" by her speech".

What can I say instead of "was stirred"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was moved", "was agitated", or "was mixed".

Is it correct to say "I was stirred by"?

Yes, it is correct. It indicates that something or someone has caused you to feel a strong emotion or reaction. For example, "I "was moved" by the performance".

What's the difference between "was stirred" and "was shaken"?

"Was stirred" usually implies a gentle, circular motion to mix or agitate something. "Was shaken" suggests a more vigorous, back-and-forth or up-and-down movement, often implying a forceful disturbance.