was updated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was updated by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something has changed or been replaced with something new or different. For example: "The website was updated by the design team last week to include new images and updated content."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their spreadsheet on the financial requirements of different aid agencies was updated by the UNHCR on 22 July 2013.

The Guardian

In 1909 Fridtjof Nansen helped detail the complex current system, and his scheme was updated by later Soviet studies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

INSIDE: This 1918 Craftsman bungalow is almost entirely original except for the kitchen, which was updated by a previous owner.

The New York Times

It was updated by a team of meteorologists and wind engineers, and the enhanced scale has been in use since 2007.

The New York Times

Originally intended to last just six months, the act – which required annual renewal in the House of Commons – endured for 25 years and was updated by the Conservatives in 1984 and 1989 to include international terrorism.

The Guardian - Opinion

ForestGALES_BC was updated by adding biomechanical data for balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L).

Ecological Modelling

Hence, the listing was updated by the feedback of these selected experts.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Initially, FLOWGO was run each time TADR was updated by MIROVA.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

In January of 2008, the Cochrane Review of FAST was updated by Stengel et al. [53].

Critical Ultrasound Journal

The Nipponbare genome assembly was updated by revising and validating the minimal tiling path of clones with the optical map for rice.

Rice

Within the TUBITAK 109M734 project, the building inventory for the Istanbul metropolitan area was updated by GIS service provided by the GRM Company (2015).

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was updated by", ensure the agent or method responsible for the update is clearly identified to provide context and accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "was updated by" without specifying who or what performed the update. For instance, instead of "The system was updated by", write "The system was updated by the IT department."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was updated by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject has undergone a change or modification performed by a specified agent. Ludwig shows it is commonly used across various domains to attribute changes to a particular source.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was updated by" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a subject has been modified by a specific agent. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent across various domains, including science, news, and formal business settings. It serves to inform about changes and attribute responsibility, maintaining transparency and accountability. The examples illustrate its broad applicability, while the usage guidance emphasizes the importance of clear attribution to avoid ambiguity. Whether you're documenting a scientific study, reporting news, or drafting a business document, using "was updated by" effectively enhances the clarity and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was revised by

Indicates a more thorough review and alteration.

was amended by

Suggests a formal or legal change.

was modified by

Implies a less extensive change than 'revised'.

was improved by

Focuses on the enhancement aspect of the update.

was corrected by

Highlights the removal of errors during the update.

was enhanced by

Similar to 'improved by' but emphasizes added features.

was refined by

Suggests a subtle but significant improvement.

was adjusted by

Implies a slight change to achieve better alignment or accuracy.

was altered by

Indicates a change in form or character.

was adapted by

Suggests a change to suit a new purpose or condition.

FAQs

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

Use "was updated by" to indicate who or what made changes to something. For example, "The report was updated by the research team" or "The software was updated by a new patch".

What are some alternatives to using "was updated by"?

You can use alternatives like "was revised by", "was amended by", or "was modified by" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was updated by" or should I use "updated by"?

"Was updated by" is in the passive voice, which is grammatically correct. Using "updated by" alone is not a complete sentence. You could rephrase it actively, such as "The team updated the document".

What's the difference between "was updated by" and "was edited by"?

"Was updated by" suggests that new information or features were added or changed, while "was edited by" implies changes were made to improve clarity, accuracy, or style.