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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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was transitioned

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was transitioned" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "transition" is an intransitive verb and does not require a passive construction. Example: "The project transitioned smoothly to the next phase."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

There was not a single piece of paper that was transitioned to the new team.

News & Media

The New York Times

MIT's Spam Quarantine service was transitioned to Microsoft's Office 365 Protection service.

Domino was sent back to Anstu, where he was transitioned from being a racehorse to a 4-year-old on turn-out awaiting a new owner.

News & Media

The New York Times

The two strains were first grown at 37 °C in stage 1, and then the temperature was transitioned to 20 °C in stage 2 for the optimal expression of the violacein synthesis pathway.

Nauru was transitioned to an "open centre" in October, ahead of the M68 court case in the Australian high court, as demonstration that people there were no longer incarcerated (ultimately, the distinction wasn't needed, the high court ruled that offshore detention was within Australia's power).

News & Media

The Guardian

The mole fractions of the four target species were monitored versus time as the gasifier was transitioned from a cold startup to stabilization at the target 15 atm and 1260 K gasification condition, and after 35 days at relatively steady operating conditions, the campaign was terminated and the reactor shut down.

Science

Fuel
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I was transitioning.

News & Media

HuffPost

While he was transitioning, so was I.

News & Media

Huffington Post

"He's transitioned pretty well.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

"We're transitioning," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

At the time we were transitioning professionally.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a change, consider using more direct and active constructions like "The company transitioned to a new system" rather than the passive "was transitioned" to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice unnecessarily with "transition". Opt for stronger verbs that directly show the action. For example, instead of "The patient was transitioned to comfort measures", write "The medical team shifted the patient to comfort measures".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was transitioned" functions as a passive construction, indicating a shift or change that occurred to the subject. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction, while frequently used, is often considered grammatically questionable because "transition" is typically an intransitive verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

29%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "was transitioned" is widely used, especially in scientific, news, and academic contexts, Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's often grammatically incorrect due to "transition" being an intransitive verb. Therefore, opting for active voice constructions or alternative phrases like "underwent a transition", "moved to", or "switched to" can enhance clarity and grammatical correctness. Though common, prioritize grammatical precision for stronger communication.

FAQs

How can I use "was transitioned" correctly in a sentence?

While frequently used, "was transitioned" is often grammatically incorrect. Instead, consider restructuring your sentence to use alternatives such as "underwent a transition" or "experienced a shift".

What are some alternatives to "was transitioned"?

Depending on the context, you could use "moved to", "switched to", or "progressed to" for clearer and grammatically sound sentences.

Is it better to use an active or passive voice when describing a transition?

Active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and directness. Instead of "was transitioned", try using an active construction like "the team transitioned" or "the system moved".

What's the difference between "was transitioned" and "transitioned"?

"Transitioned" is the past tense of the verb "transition" used in an active voice. "Was transitioned" is a passive construction that, while common, is often considered grammatically incorrect since transition is an intransitive verb.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: