was used by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was used by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was employed or utilized by a specific person or group in the past. Example: "The method was used by researchers to analyze the data effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This method was used by Euler.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The term was used by Louis Farrakhan.

The New Yorker

It was used by Trump.

The New Yorker

It was used by Stop the War.

The Guardian - Arts

"It was used by our ancestors.

The New York Times

FORMULA was used by projects described here and here.

University of California, Berkeley

Indeed, busing was used by white officials to maintain segregation.

Britannica

This entrance was used by the athletes and the umpires.

Britannica

"This path was used by the Incas," Fernando tells me.

The Guardian - Travel

It was used by around 100 young people a week.

The Guardian

Before Arrington, 2 Thessalonians was used by Reps.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was used by", ensure the subject clearly identifies what was utilized and the agent performing the action for clarity and precision. For example, instead of "It was used by the team", specify "The software was used by the development team".

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice constructions like "was used by" as it can make writing sound indirect and less engaging. Try to rephrase sentences in the active voice where possible to improve clarity and impact. For instance, instead of "The tool was used by the engineers", consider "The engineers used the tool".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was used by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received an action performed by a specified agent. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its common usage in attributing actions or processes to particular actors across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was used by" is a versatile passive construction that appears frequently across diverse domains, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to attribute the utilization of something to a specific entity. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for more direct prose. Key synonyms include "was employed by" and "was utilized by". By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively leverage "was used by" to convey clear and precise information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was employed by

Replaces "used" with a more formal synonym, "employed", maintaining the same passive construction.

was utilized by

Substitutes "used" with "utilized", adding a sense of formal and technical application.

was adopted by

Indicates acceptance and implementation by someone.

was implemented by

Highlights the action of putting something into effect by someone.

was operated by

Focuses on the action of someone controlling or managing something.

was administered by

Suggests the action of someone managing or governing something.

was wielded by

Implies the action of someone holding and using power or authority.

was harnessed by

Emphasizes the action of someone controlling and using natural resources, especially to produce energy.

was leveraged by

Highlights how someone took advantage of something.

was consumed by

Focuses on the action of someone destructively using energy or resources, especially destructively.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was used by" to sound more active?

To create a more active voice, restructure the sentence to emphasize the actor. For example, instead of "The tool was used by the team," try "The team used the tool."

Is it always better to avoid the passive voice construction "was used by"?

Not always. While active voice is often preferred for directness, passive voice like "was used by" is appropriate when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. For example, "The formula "was used by" projects described here and here."

What are some synonyms for "was used by" that maintain a formal tone?

Formal alternatives to "was used by" include "was employed by", "was utilized by", or "was implemented by". These options provide a more sophisticated vocabulary while conveying a similar meaning.

How does the choice between "was used by" and "used" affect the emphasis of a sentence?

Using "was used by" (passive voice) emphasizes the object or recipient of the action, while "used" (active voice) emphasizes the actor. For instance, "The software was used by the engineers" focuses on the software, whereas "The engineers used the software" focuses on the engineers.