was valid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was valid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was acceptable, legitimate, or justified in the past. Example: "The argument presented in the debate was valid, and it swayed many opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it was valid.

The Guardian - Sport

Concededly the order was valid.

Cornell University

His point was valid and well made.

Independent

Until recently, that fear was valid.

The New York Times - Sports

It was valid in the past.

Harvard Business Review

Experiments showed that neither explanation was valid.

Medical Engineering & Physics

I knew my Social Security number was valid.

The New York Times

The lawyers were uncertain whether the will was valid.

The New York Times

In January, a judge ruled that the repeal was valid.

The New York Times

The appeals court said the agreement was valid.

The New York Times

The point was valid but the gags were cheap.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was valid" to confirm the acceptability, legitimacy, or factual correctness of a statement, argument, or item within a past context. Ensure the subject and context clearly establish what is being deemed valid.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something that "was valid" in the past remains so in the present without updated verification. Circumstances and criteria change, potentially invalidating previous assertions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was valid" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state of being in the past. As supported by Ludwig AI, it attributes a quality of legitimacy, correctness, or acceptability to a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

23%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was valid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something held legitimacy, correctness, or acceptability at a point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a predicate adjective, appearing most commonly in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overgeneralizations, ensuring that past validity remains applicable in the present context. Alternatives include phrases like "was legitimate" or "was justified", offering nuances in meaning based on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was legitimate

Expresses that something conformed to the law or to rules.

was justified

Indicates that there was a good reason or acceptable explanation for something.

was acceptable

Suggests that something met a certain standard or requirement.

was correct

Implies that something was free from error.

was accurate

Highlights the factual precision of something.

was sound

Indicates that something was based on solid reasoning or evidence.

was well-founded

Emphasizes that something had a strong basis in facts or logic.

was permissible

Suggests that something was allowed or not prohibited.

was reasonable

Indicates that something was fair and sensible in the circumstances.

held up

Describes something that remained true or correct after scrutiny or testing.

FAQs

What does "was valid" mean?

The phrase "was valid" means that something was considered acceptable, legitimate, or justifiable at a certain point in the past. It implies that the criteria for correctness or approval were met during that specific timeframe.

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

You can use "was valid" to describe arguments, documents, or permissions. For example: "The driver's license "was valid" until the end of the year" or "The research method "was valid" at the time of the study".

What are some alternatives to "was valid"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "was legitimate", "was justified", or "was acceptable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is valid" instead of "was valid"?

The choice between "is valid" and "was valid" depends on the timeframe you're referring to. Use "is valid" if something is currently true or acceptable. Use "was valid" if it was true or acceptable in the past but may not be so now.