was trapped by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was trapped by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is caught or confined by an external force or entity. Example: "The animal was trapped by the hunters in the forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was trapped by my trappings," she'll tell you, "now I just want trimmings".

The New York Times

The OH generated by the Fenton reaction system was trapped by DMPO, and this trapped OH was detected with an ESR spectrometer.

BioMed Research International

There, however, he was trapped by an Egyptian armada.

Britannica

It was trapped by the warmer air above.

The New Yorker

Unscom, concludes Mr Ritter, was trapped by Iraq's deceit.

The Economist

Her boyfriend was trapped by the rising waters and couldn't get back to the store.

The Washington Post

He could laugh, Anistranski added, but the General was trapped by his position.

The New Yorker

Once, he was trapped by a fascist gang brandishing wooden poles.

The Guardian - Opinion

By the time Hemingway moved into Finca Vigía, he was trapped by his own reputation.

The New Yorker

He was trapped by the crushed front end of the car, and his hip was fractured.

The New York Times - Sports

Solidarity was trapped by a number of myths, said a Polish emigre scholar.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was trapped by" to clearly convey the sense of being caught or confined by a specific force or entity, whether physical or abstract. This phrase is especially effective when describing situations where there is a sense of helplessness or lack of control.

Common error

Avoid using "was trapped by" with overly general or ambiguous subjects. Instead, specify the exact force or entity that caused the trapping. For instance, instead of "He was trapped by circumstances", specify "He was trapped by the rising floodwaters" for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was trapped by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced being confined or restricted by an external force or agent. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was trapped by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that conveys the idea of being confined or restricted by an external force. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact force or entity causing the trapping and keep in mind that alternative expressions like "was confined by" or "was caught by" can provide nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was caught by

A more general term for being captured or trapped, lacking the specific implication of confinement.

was confined by

This alternative suggests a restriction of movement or space, similar to being trapped but potentially less forceful.

was restricted by

Similar to confined, but focuses more on limitations and boundaries set by an external force.

was ensnared by

This phrase implies a more subtle and deceptive trapping, often suggesting a deliberate scheme or lure.

was constrained by

Similar to restricted, but emphasizes the limitations imposed by external factors.

was limited by

Focuses on constraints and restrictions, often in terms of resources or capabilities.

was overwhelmed by

This suggests being overpowered or overcome by something, rather than physically trapped.

was hampered by

Implies that something is hindering progress or movement, not necessarily a complete trapping.

was held captive by

Suggests a forceful imprisonment, often with negative connotations.

was dictated by

Indicates that actions or choices are controlled or determined by an external influence.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was trapped by" describes a state of being confined or restricted by something. For example, "The hiker "was trapped by" the sudden snowstorm", or "The company "was trapped by" its own outdated technology".

What are some alternatives to "was trapped by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was caught by", "was confined by", or "was restricted by".

Is it better to use "was trapped by" or "became trapped by"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "was trapped by" describes a state, while "became trapped by" describes the process of entering that state. Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was trapped by" and "was influenced by"?

"Was trapped by" implies a lack of freedom and confinement, while "was influenced by" suggests that something had an effect on someone or something, without necessarily implying a loss of freedom.