was washed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was washed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: "The car was washed twice on Saturday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Our school was washed away!

The New York Times

The husband was washed away.

The New York Times

"It was washed away," he said.

The New York Times

"It was washed up in Morecambe.

Independent

Describes how the car was washed.

The New Yorker

One was washed away by the ocean.

The New York Times

"It was washed yesterday when it was cut," I say.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Matthew's body was washed ashore on Friday evening.

The Guardian

Last year, Day 2 of qualifying was washed out.

The New York Times - Sports

His body was washed up on the shore, and buried.

The New Yorker

It was washed down with a Rainier (Wolfcastle) beer.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was washed" in the passive voice to describe an action where the subject receives the action of being cleaned or carried away by water. For example, "The debris was washed ashore after the storm."

Common error

Avoid using "was washed" when an active voice construction is more appropriate or clearer. For example, instead of "The clothes were washed by the machine", consider "The machine washed the clothes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was washed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of washing. Ludwig AI affirms that this grammatical structure is valid and frequently employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was washed" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to indicate that something has been cleaned or affected by water, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its use spans across various contexts, from describing scientific procedures to reporting news events. The phrase's register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. When using "was washed", ensure that the passive voice is the most effective choice for clarity and emphasis. Alternatives like "was cleaned" or "was swept away" may offer more precise meanings depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was cleaned

Focuses more generally on the act of cleaning, not necessarily with water.

was rinsed

Implies a quick wash, often to remove residue.

was cleansed

Suggests a thorough cleaning, often with a purifying effect.

was swept away

Emphasizes the forceful removal by water or another agent.

was carried away

Similar to "swept away" but can also refer to non-physical removal.

was eroded

Highlights the gradual wearing away by water or other elements.

was submerged

Indicates being covered or flooded with water.

was doused

Suggests a sudden and thorough soaking.

was purified

Implies that the washing process aimed to remove impurities.

was deluged

Highlights being overwhelmed by a large amount of water

FAQs

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

You can use "was washed" to describe something that has been cleaned with water, like "The car was washed this morning", or to describe something carried away by water, such as "The bridge was washed away during the flood".

What are some alternatives to saying "was washed"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "was cleaned", "was rinsed", or "was swept away". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had been washed" instead of "was washed"?

Yes, "had been washed" is grammatically correct. It indicates that the washing occurred before another point in the past. For example, "The dishes had been washed before the guests arrived."

What's the difference between "was washed" and "is washed"?

"Was washed" is in the past tense, indicating an action that happened in the past. "Is washed" is in the present tense, suggesting a current or habitual action. For example, "The car was washed yesterday" vs. "The car is washed every week".