was worn through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was worn through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item, typically clothing or fabric, that has become damaged or has holes due to wear and tear over time. Example: "After years of use, the soles of my shoes were worn through, making them uncomfortable to wear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Mulaney from "Saturday Night Live" said he once watched a cellphone Simon had placed in his pocket slide down the leg of his trousers because the pocket lining was worn through.

The New York Times

At the same time, this enabled a subsequent lateral lubricant supply toward a wear scar location where the diffusion barrier layer was worn through and/or for a next thermal cycle.

Composites Science and Technology

In our specimens, the harder outer dentine was worn through into the softer inner layer, as is true in all but the youngest sloths (Naples, 1982; Naples, 1987).

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The classic example is making jeans into cut-off shorts when the knees are worn through, but if you are resourceful, you could restyle all sorts of worn clothing, or make bags, quilts, leg-warmers or mittens.

WikiHow

Trails had been worn through the thickets.

The New York Times

Eventually, the soles of both pairs were worn through.

The New York Times

A black mask to be worn through the night.

The New York Times

"There are areas where the fabric has been worn through, fragile seams and other problems".

Independent

His couch is broken, and the linoleum tiles are worn through on the floor.

The New York Times

His black ostrich-skin cowboy boots were worn through to his socks.

The New York Times

The princess style continued to be worn through the 20th century with greater or lesser popularity according to the fashion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was worn through", ensure the context clearly indicates what object experienced the wear and what caused it. For example, "The fabric of the old coat was worn through by years of harsh weather."

Common error

Avoid using "was worn through" without specifying what caused the wear. Saying "The tire was worn through" is less informative than "The tire was worn through by driving on rough roads".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was worn through" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has been acted upon, resulting in a state of deterioration. The examples in Ludwig show it describing materials like fabric or coatings that have been damaged by friction or prolonged use. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was worn through" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe the state of an object that has deteriorated due to prolonged use or external factors. While not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent across various contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge domains. As indicated by Ludwig, it is important to specify the agent causing the wear to provide a clearer and more informative description. Alternatives like "was abraded" or "was eroded" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was abraded

Focuses on the surface being rubbed away rather than a complete penetration.

was eroded

Suggests a gradual wearing away, often by natural elements.

was perforated

Implies the creation of small holes, not necessarily due to wear.

was penetrated

Emphasizes the act of something passing into or through something else.

was disintegrated

Indicates a complete breaking down or falling apart.

was consumed

Suggests a gradual using up or destruction by something.

was dissipated

Implies scattering or dissolving, not necessarily due to wear.

was undermined

Focuses on weakening the foundation or support.

was ruptured

Suggests a sudden breaking or bursting.

was breached

Indicates a breaking through a barrier or defense.

FAQs

How can I use "was worn through" in a sentence?

Use "was worn through" to describe an object that has deteriorated to the point of having a hole or thin spot due to prolonged use or friction. For instance, "The knees of his jeans were worn through from crawling on the floor".

What's a synonym for "was worn through"?

Alternatives include "was abraded", "was eroded", or "had a hole" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is worn through" or "was worn through"?

Both are grammatically correct, but their use depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "is worn through" for present tense and "was worn through" for past tense.

What is the difference between "was torn" and "was worn through"?

"Was torn" implies a sudden rip or tear, while "was worn through" indicates a gradual deterioration due to friction or use over time.