was viewed as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was viewed as' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something was considered in a particular way. For example: "The plan for the new development was viewed as highly ambitious by local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This alone was viewed as racial progress.

The New York Times

Counter-intelligence was viewed as a backwater.

The Economist

I was viewed as being disloyal".

The New Yorker

He was viewed as the third wheel.

The New Yorker

And Jimmy Carter was viewed as an appeaser".

The New Yorker

Kennedy's assassination was viewed as an aberration.

The New York Times

His music was viewed as a compromise.

The New York Times

Adoption was viewed as a failure.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was viewed as impolite, it was viewed as class warfare".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

By contrast, equitable healthcare was viewed as an important issue.

BMC Health Services Research

This was viewed as a victory for the defense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was viewed as" to objectively report on a past perspective or consensus. For instance, "The policy was viewed as a success after the initial results were analyzed."

Common error

Avoid using "was viewed as" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The critics were viewed as dismissive by the director", try "The director considered the critics dismissive."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was viewed as" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something or someone was regarded or perceived in a particular way. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is commonly used to describe opinions or assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was viewed as" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express past perceptions or evaluations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for describing how something was considered or understood at a specific point in time. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral tone and serves to report on perspectives objectively. When writing, remember to use this phrase to clearly convey past opinions, and avoid using it when an active voice is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was regarded as

This alternative emphasizes the act of considering something in a particular light, similar to "was viewed as".

was considered to be

This alternative highlights the process of thinking about something in a certain way, conveying a sense of evaluation.

was perceived as

This alternative focuses on the sensory or intuitive understanding of something, rather than a reasoned judgment.

was deemed to be

This alternative suggests a formal judgment or decision about something's nature or quality.

was thought of as

This alternative emphasizes a more general or informal opinion about something.

was recognized as

This alternative focuses on the acknowledgment or acceptance of something's status or nature.

was known as

This alternative suggests a widespread familiarity or common understanding of something.

was interpreted as

This alternative emphasizes the act of explaining or understanding the meaning of something.

was understood as

This alternative focuses on comprehension or a shared agreement about something's meaning.

was characterized as

This alternative emphasizes the description or definition of something based on its key attributes.

FAQs

What does "was viewed as" mean?

The phrase "was viewed as" means something was considered or perceived in a particular way by a person or group.

How can I use "was viewed as" in a sentence?

Use "was viewed as" when you want to express how something was perceived or considered in the past. For example, "The decision "was viewed as" controversial by many citizens."

What are some alternatives to "was viewed as"?

Some alternatives include "was regarded as", "was considered to be", or "was perceived as".

Is there a difference between "was viewed as" and "is viewed as"?

"Was viewed as" refers to a past perception, while "is viewed as" indicates a current perception. For example, "The project "was viewed as" a failure in 2020, but now "is viewed as" a success."