was the work of

USAGE SUMMARY

"was the work of" is a proper and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the cause or source of a particular result. For example, "The incredible artwork in the museum was the work of a renowned artist from the Renaissance period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That was the work of brushtail possums.

The New Yorker

That was the work of renegade employees.

The Economist

It was the work of an artist.

The New Yorker

"Journalism was the work of his life.

The New York Times

It was the work of Tim Harvey.

The Guardian

It was the work of talented preprofessionals.

The New York Times - Arts

That was the work of his accomplice.

The New York Times

This was the work of men.

The Guardian

It was the work of a pro.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is the work of the actors.

The New Yorker

This is the work of our economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was the work of" to clearly and directly attribute an action, creation, or event to its source. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides context.

Common error

Avoid using "was the work of" excessively in passive voice constructions, as it can make your writing sound convoluted. Instead, rephrase the sentence to use an active voice, directly stating who or what performed the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was the work of" functions as a linking phrase that attributes a particular outcome, creation, or action to a specific agent or source. It connects a result with its cause or origin. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage, as evidenced by the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was the work of" serves as a versatile phrase for attributing actions, creations, or events to a specific source. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. When using the phrase, focus on directly attributing the cause to avoid convoluted passive constructions. Consider alternatives like "was attributed to" or "was created by" for nuanced expression. The phrase maintains a generally neutral to formal register, making it suitable for both informative and professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was the result of

Highlights the outcome or consequence of an action or event.

was caused by

Directly states the cause of an event or situation.

was attributed to

Focuses on assigning credit or blame to a specific source.

was due to

Indicates causation or reason for something.

was the product of

Highlights the outcome of a process or effort.

was created by

Emphasizes the act of creation or production.

was brought about by

Indicates the cause that led to a particular outcome.

stemmed from

Highlights the origin or root cause of a problem or situation.

originated from

Focuses on the starting point or source of something.

was the handiwork of

Emphasizes skill or craftsmanship in the creation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "was the work of" in a sentence?

Use "was the work of" to attribute an action or creation to a specific person, group, or cause. For example, "The intricate design was the work of a skilled artisan."

What are some alternatives to "was the work of"?

You can use alternatives like "was attributed to", "was created by", or "was the result of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was the work of"?

While "was the work of" is often used in passive constructions, it can sometimes be more effective to rephrase the sentence in active voice for clarity and directness.

What's the difference between "was the work of" and "was due to"?

"Was the work of" typically implies a deliberate action or creation, while "was due to" indicates a cause or reason, which may not be intentional.