was succeeded

USAGE SUMMARY

'was succeeded' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that one thing replaced another, usually in an official or authoritative capacity. For example, "King Simon was succeeded by his son, Prince Enrique."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was succeeded by Grey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(He was succeeded by Dominique Strauss-Kahn).

The New Yorker

He was succeeded by Fukuda Yasuo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was succeeded by Millard Fillmore.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Birendra was succeeded by his brother, Gyanendra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But neither was succeeded by an equal.

The Economist

Mr. Shiokawa was succeeded by Sadakazu Tanigaki.

The New York Times

It was succeeded by the Olds.

The New York Times

Smith was succeeded by Tony Blair.

The Guardian

Mr. Rangel was succeeded by Mr. Davis.

The New York Times

He was succeeded by Col Pierre Magnan.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was succeeded" when you want to emphasize the formal transfer of a role, title, or position from one person or entity to another. It is particularly appropriate in historical, biographical, or organizational contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was succeeded" when the subject is actively doing the succeeding. Instead, use "succeeded" or "will succeed" to reflect the active voice. For example, instead of "He was succeeded by becoming CEO", use "He succeeded in becoming CEO."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was succeeded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject underwent the action of being followed or replaced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

27%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

27%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was succeeded" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. It is primarily used to denote a formal transition or replacement, especially in roles, positions, or sequences. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage across a range of reliable sources. Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for encyclopedic entries, news reports, and biographical accounts. When writing, remember that "was succeeded" emphasizes the transfer itself rather than the actions of the successor. While "was replaced by" focuses on substitution, and "was superseded by" implies an improvement, "was succeeded" highlights the ordered progression of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was replaced by

Indicates a direct substitution of one entity by another, similar to "was succeeded" but with a slightly broader application.

took the place of

Emphasizes the action of replacing someone or something.

was superseded by

Implies that something newer or better took the place of something older or obsolete.

was taken over by

Suggests acquisition or control by another entity, often in a business or organizational context.

followed by

Focuses on the sequential aspect, indicating what came next rather than a direct replacement.

came after

A simpler way to express sequence, less formal than "was succeeded".

inherited by

Specifically indicates the passing of a role, title, or possession to another, typically through lineage or legal means.

was the successor to

Highlights the role of the entity that followed, rather than the act of succession itself.

stepped down for

Describes the action of giving the power to another person.

passed the torch to

An idiomatic expression indicating the transfer of responsibility or leadership.

FAQs

How is "was succeeded by" used in a sentence?

The phrase "was succeeded by" indicates that someone or something followed another in a position, role, or sequence. For instance, "The president was succeeded by the vice president after his resignation."

What is a more formal alternative to "was succeeded by"?

A more formal alternative could be "was superseded by", which implies a replacement with something newer or better. However, the best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was succeeded from"?

No, "was succeeded from" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use is "by", as in "was succeeded by". The phrase indicates who or what followed in a particular role or position.

What's the difference between "was replaced by" and "was succeeded by"?

"was replaced by" generally implies a substitution, while "was succeeded by" often indicates a more formal or hierarchical transition, particularly in roles or positions. For example, a broken part was replaced by a new one, but a CEO was succeeded by another.