was succeeded by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was succeeded by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to imply that an event, entity or action was replaced by something else, typically due to the passage of time. For example, "The previous president was succeeded by a new leader."

✓ 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 Millard Fillmore.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(He was succeeded by Dominique Strauss-Kahn).

The New Yorker

He was succeeded by Fukuda Yasuo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Birendra was succeeded by his brother, Gyanendra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But neither was succeeded by an equal.

The Economist

He was succeeded by Lieut.

The New York Times

In 1995 he was succeeded by Neal Kozodoy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

William was succeeded by his son Alexander II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was succeeded by a cousin, Malcolm I.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was succeeded by his nephew Maximinus Daia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was succeeded by", maintain a consistent tense throughout the sentence for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "was succeeded by" when you actually mean "succeeded in". The former indicates a replacement, while the latter means achieving something. For example, say "He succeeded in his mission", not "He was succeeded by his mission".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was succeeded by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a person or thing was replaced by another. This construction highlights the transition from one entity to its successor, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

27%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was succeeded by" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that one person or entity has been replaced by another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for formal writing. Predominantly found in encyclopedias, news media, and wiki sources, this phrase serves to clearly communicate transitions in roles, positions, or historical sequences. To ensure accuracy, avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "succeeded in" and be mindful of maintaining consistent tense. Alternative phrases include "was replaced by", "took over from", and "followed by", each offering subtle differences in meaning. Remember that this phrase expresses a formal or hierarchical transition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was replaced by

Focuses on the act of replacement, emphasizing that the original entity no longer exists or functions.

was the successor to

Emphasizes the role of the second entity as the heir or inheritor of a position or title.

took over from

Highlights the action of assuming control or responsibility from someone else.

inherited the position from

Highlights the transfer of a role or title, usually due to lineage or established procedures.

followed by

Indicates a sequential order, where one entity comes after another, typically in time or position.

came after

Simply denotes a temporal sequence, indicating that one entity occurred or existed after another.

stepped into the role of

Implies that someone assumed a new position or responsibility, often after a vacancy.

assumed the mantle of

Suggests a symbolic passing of leadership or responsibility, often with a sense of tradition or legacy.

rose to power after

Indicates that someone gained influence or authority following the departure or demise of a predecessor.

ensued after

Focuses on the event or entity that came into existence or occurred after a previous one.

FAQs

How can I use "was succeeded by" in a sentence?

Use "was succeeded by" to show that someone or something took the place of a previous person or thing. For example, "The previous CEO "was succeeded by" a new leader".

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

While both phrases indicate a change, "was succeeded by" often implies a formal or hierarchical transition, especially in roles or positions. "Was replaced by" can refer to a more general substitution. For example, "The king "was succeeded by" his son", versus "The old car "was replaced by" a new model".

What are some alternatives to "was succeeded by"?

You can use alternatives like "was replaced by", "took over from", or "followed by", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "succeeded by" instead of "was succeeded by"?

While "succeeded by" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, "was succeeded by" is generally preferred in formal writing to clearly indicate passive voice. For instance, "The president "was succeeded by" the vice president" is clearer than "The president succeeded by the vice president".