was worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was worked" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "to work" and can be used to describe a past action or state of being. Example: The project deadline was looming, so the team was worked to the bone to complete it on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was worked out.

The New Yorker

He was worked up for nothing.

The New Yorker

This example was worked in lecture.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An empirical model was worked out by experiment results fitting.

Petroleum Exploration and Development

Mediation effect was worked out by structural equation model (SEM).

Asian Journal of Psychiatry

She told officers: "I was worked up.

The Guardian

But he was worked into the design.

The New York Times - Arts

An "arrangement to exit" was worked out.

The New York Times - Sports

A complicated plan was worked out.

The New Yorker

A deal was worked out pending a physical.

The New York Times - Sports

In former times the latter was worked for marble.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was worked", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the action if it's not explicitly stated. For example, "The field was worked by the farmer" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was worked" in situations where the active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The problem was worked on for hours", consider "The team worked on the problem for hours."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was worked" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of working. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct form in English. The examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts, from describing land preparation to material processing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was worked" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, its main function is to indicate that the subject has undergone an action. It is used across various registers, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. The examples curated by Ludwig demonstrate diverse applications, from describing manipulated materials to arranged agreements. When employing this phrase, ensure the passive voice aligns with the intended emphasis and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was developed

Suitable when referring to the creation or improvement of something.

had been labored on

Replaces "worked" with "labored on" emphasizing the effort involved.

was refined

Emphasizes improvement through careful adjustments.

was finalized

Suggests that the last touches were applied.

was toiled on

Similar to "labored on", highlighting arduous work.

was processed

Focuses on a systematic series of actions.

was completed

Focuses on finishing a task.

had been crafted

Implies careful and skillful work, more specific than "worked".

was prepared

Indicates readiness or completion of preliminary steps.

was executed

Highlights the performance or implementation of a task.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was worked" indicates a passive construction, meaning something received the action. For example: "The soil "was worked" to prepare it for planting."

What are some alternatives to "was worked"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was developed", "was processed", or "was refined" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice with "was worked"?

Use the passive voice when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or you want to emphasize the object receiving the action. For example: "The metal "was worked" into a sculpture" emphasizes the transformation of the metal.

What's the difference between "was worked" and "worked"?

"Was worked" implies a passive action, while "worked" implies an active one. "The sculptor worked the clay" (active) versus "The clay "was worked" by the sculptor" (passive).