was urged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was urged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone was strongly encouraged or advised to do something in the past. Example: "She was urged by her friends to apply for the scholarship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ASA was urged to withdraw her.

The Economist

The UN was urged to intervene.

The Guardian

She was urged to keep the investigation in-house.

The New Yorker

He was urged to lie down on a cot.

The New Yorker

Management was urged to get their workers better informed about safety matters.

Safety Science

Moderation was urged in undoing apartheid in South Africa.

The New York Times

Lindbergh, a Republican, was urged to run against him.

The New Yorker

He was urged to clarify his remarks by Gordon Brown.

The Guardian

Obry was urged on by fans screaming his name.

The New York Times - Sports

Caution was urged for patients with renal or hepatic impairment in 16 (94%) labels.

Harvard University

The employees' position was urged by members of the various Brotherhoods.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider substituting "was urged" with more specific verbs like "encouraged", "advised", or "prompted" to convey subtle differences in meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "was urged" in situations where the actor is unclear. Vague passive constructions can weaken your writing. Specify who did the urging whenever possible to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was urged" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone received strong advice or encouragement to perform a specific action. It's used to convey that external influence played a role in someone's decision or course of action, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

30%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was urged" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates strong advice or encouragement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news, academic and scientific writing. While versatile, it's important to consider the clarity of the actor and potential alternatives like "was encouraged" or "was advised" to ensure precise communication. Remember to specify the source of the urging when relevant to enhance the impact and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was advised to

Focuses on the guidance or counsel received, emphasizing the informational aspect.

was encouraged to

Highlights the positive reinforcement or support given to someone to do something.

was prompted to

Suggests a stimulus or catalyst that initiated the action.

was advised that they should

Adds a layer of formality by explicitly stating the recommended course of action.

was persuaded to

Implies a successful effort to convince someone to do something they were initially hesitant about.

was recommended to

Emphasizes the endorsement or approval given by an authority or expert.

was impelled to

Indicates a strong, often irresistible, force driving the action.

was pressed to

Highlights the pressure or insistence exerted on someone to take action.

received a strong recommendation to

Rephrases the idea with a focus on the intensity of the advice received.

had a compelling case made to

Implies that strong reasoning and evidence were presented to influence the person's decision.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was urged" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was advised to", "it was recommended that", or "was strongly encouraged to".

What are some less formal alternatives to "was urged"?

Less formal options include "was told to", "was asked to", or simply stating that someone "should" do something.

Is it always necessary to specify who "urged" someone?

While not always necessary, specifying who urged someone adds clarity and credibility to your statement. Omitting the source is acceptable when the source is irrelevant or obvious from the context, but ensure that the meaning remains clear.

What's the difference between "was urged" and "was encouraged"?

"Was urged" implies a stronger degree of insistence or persuasion than "was encouraged". Encouragement suggests a more gentle and supportive approach, while urging can imply a sense of necessity or importance.