was under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was under" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a state of being beneath or subject to something, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The old bridge was under repair for several months, causing traffic delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was under interrogation.

The New York Times

She was under surveillance.

The New York Times

He was under pressure.

The Economist

It was under the surface.

The New York Times

He was under considerable stress.

The New Yorker

It was under constant refinement.

The New Yorker

It was under my control.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Bianca was under-matched.

The New York Times

"It was under-utilized.

Nature

In general, the company was under-rehearsed.

The New Yorker

Compliance was under-reported.

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was under", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was being subjected to. For instance, "The city was under siege" is clear, whereas "He was under" requires further context.

Common error

Avoid using "was under" without specifying what the subject was under. For example, instead of saying "She was under", clarify by stating "She was under pressure" or "She was under investigation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was under" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often indicating a state of being subjected to a condition, influence, or authority. Ludwig examples show it used to describe being "under interrogation", "under pressure", or "under constant refinement".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science & Research

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was under" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone or something is subject to a particular condition, influence, or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Science & Research", and academic writing, it serves to describe states and situations objectively. For clarity, it's best to avoid using it without specifying what the subject is under. Alternatives like "was subjected to" can offer a more formal tone. In essence, "was under" is a valuable tool for expressing states of being, provided it's used with precision and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was subjected to

Emphasizes the experience of being acted upon by an external force or condition.

was experiencing

Highlights the process of going through a particular situation or state.

was going through

Similar to 'was experiencing', but often implies a more difficult or challenging situation.

was subject to

Indicates a liability or potential for something to occur.

faced

Highlights confrontation with a situation or challenge.

endured

Emphasizes the persistence through a difficult or painful experience.

was in the midst of

Implies being actively involved or surrounded by something.

was the target of

Highlights being specifically chosen or singled out for something, often negative.

was affected by

Focuses on the impact or influence of something on a subject.

was controlled by

Highlights the state of being under the power or authority of another entity.

FAQs

How can I use "was under" in a sentence?

Use "was under" to indicate a state of being subjected to something, such as "The project "was under construction"" or "He "was under investigation"".

What's a more formal alternative to "was under"?

A more formal alternative is "was subjected to", which conveys a similar meaning of being acted upon or controlled by something.

How does "was under" differ from "was over"?

"Was under" indicates a state of being beneath or subjected to something, while "was over" signifies completion or termination.

Can "was under" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "was under" can be used metaphorically to describe being influenced or controlled by something, such as "She "was under a lot of pressure"" or "The company "was under new management"".