was weakened

USAGE SUMMARY

"was weakened" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is in the past tense and indicates that something has been reduced in power, strength, or intensity. For example: "The President's stance on the issue was weakened by the new report released by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Industry was weakened across Europe.

The Economist

And that secondary was weakened.

The New York Times - Sports

The K.G.B. was weakened, but it was not reformed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Last year, part of the Voting Rights Act was weakened.

The Guardian

From 1973 onwards, however, conservation research in Britain was weakened.

The Guardian

Communal Jewish regulation was weakened and possibilities multiplied.

The New York Times - Arts

M23 was weakened even before the most recent battles.

The New York Times

Some believe the dome was weakened after the quake on Saturday.

The New York Times

The International Olympic Committee said at the time that Samaranch was weakened by "extreme fatigue".

The New York Times - Sports

In the influential German weekly Die Zeit, Jürgen Kroenig agreed that the leadership was weakened.

The Guardian

Because his immune system was weakened, he was at great risk of contracting an infection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs or more descriptive adjectives to replace "was weakened" if you want to emphasize the degree of reduction in strength or effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "was weakened". Actively identify the subject and verb to enhance sentence clarity and conciseness. For instance, instead of "The structure was weakened by the storm", try "The storm weakened the structure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was weakened" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject underwent a process of becoming less strong or effective. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English. The examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as describing the weakening of economies, political arguments, or physical structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

41%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was weakened" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to describe a decline in strength, power, or effectiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When using the phrase, ensure to provide clear context about the cause of the weakening. Alternatives like ""was diminished"" or ""was undermined"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice and consider using the active voice for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was diminished

Indicates a reduction in size, extent, or importance, similar to weakening.

was undermined

Implies a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation or support.

was impaired

Suggests a reduction in function or ability, akin to being weakened.

was compromised

Implies a loss of quality, integrity, or effectiveness, similar to being weakened.

was attenuated

Describes a reduction in force, effect, or value, aligning with the concept of weakening.

was degraded

Indicates a decline in quality or condition, comparable to being weakened.

was lessened

Suggests a decrease in intensity or degree, similar to a weakening effect.

was diluted

Implies a reduction in concentration or potency, akin to weakening.

was softened

Suggests a reduction in harshness or intensity, relating to a weakening of impact.

was reduced

Indicates a decrease in amount, size, or intensity, similar to weakening.

FAQs

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

You can use "was weakened" to describe a reduction in strength, power, or effectiveness. For example: "The army's resolve "was weakened" after suffering heavy losses".

What are some alternatives to "was weakened"?

Alternatives include "was diminished", "was undermined", or "was impaired". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was weakened"?

While "was weakened" is in the passive voice, using the active voice can often create a stronger and more direct sentence. For example, instead of "The economy was weakened by the recession", you could say "The recession weakened the economy".

What's the difference between "was weakened" and "became weaker"?

"Was weakened" implies an external force or event caused the weakening, while "became weaker" simply describes a state change. For example, "The bridge was weakened by the earthquake" versus "The bridge became weaker over time due to corrosion".