It Was Mentioned vs. It Is Mentioned – Which is Correct?
Both “it was mentioned” and “it is mentioned” are correct. Use “it was mentioned” for a past reference, especially when reporting what someone said earlier. Use “it is mentioned” for a present reference, ongoing document, or general statement. The surrounding time signal determines which phrase fits best in everyday writing.
It Was Mentioned or It Is Mentioned – Which Is Correct?
Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they use different verb tenses. “It was mentioned” is in the past tense and refers to something that someone said, wrote, or referred to at an earlier time. “It is mentioned” is in the present tense and refers to something stated in a document, conversation, or ongoing situation.
Choose “it was mentioned” when the act of mentioning happened in the past. Choose “it is mentioned” when the statement exists in a text or situation you are discussing now, or when the timing is general rather than completed.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Look at the helping verb: “was” points backward in time, while “is” points to the present. Replace the phrase with “someone said it earlier” or “the text says it now.” If “said it earlier” makes sense, use it was mentioned. If “the text says it” makes sense, use it is mentioned.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| It was mentioned | Past passive verb phrase | Someone referred to it previously | It was mentioned during yesterday’s meeting. |
| It is mentioned | Present passive verb phrase | A current text or speaker refers to it | It is mentioned in the final paragraph. |
How to Use It Was Mentioned
“It was mentioned” is a passive construction in the simple past tense. It indicates that an unspecified person mentioned something at a completed point in the past. The phrase is common in formal writing, meeting summaries, reports, emails, and everyday conversation.
Use this phrase when the time of the reference is finished or when you are recounting a previous conversation. A time expression such as yesterday, during the meeting, last week, or earlier often reinforces the past meaning.
Example 1: It was mentioned during the interview that the company would expand overseas.
Example 2: It was mentioned earlier that all applications must be submitted by Friday.
Example 3: The need for additional training was mentioned at last month’s staff meeting.
Etymology of the Phrase It Was Mentioned
The phrase combines the past form of the verb be, “was,” with the past participle mentioned.” Mention comes through Old French from Latin mentio, meaning “a calling to mind” or “a reference.” English has used forms of mention for referring to or naming something since the late Middle Ages.
How to Use It Is Mentioned
“It is mentioned” is a passive construction in the simple present tense. It commonly describes information that appears in a document, book, article, report, contract, or other source being discussed now. It can also describe a general or repeated reference without focusing on exactly when the mentioning occurred.
This phrase is especially useful when summarizing written material. For example, a reader might say that a topic “is mentioned in the introduction” because the reference remains present in the document. The phrase is also appropriate for formal explanations and academic writing.
Example 1: It is mentioned in the report that the project is ahead of schedule.
Example 2: The historic agreement is mentioned in several chapters of the book.
Example 3: It is mentioned on the website that reservations are required.
Etymology of the Phrase It Is Mentioned
The phrase combines the present form of be, “is,” with the past participle mentioned.” The verb mention ultimately comes from Latin mentio, related to the idea of bringing something to mind. The passive structure allows the speaker to emphasize the information rather than the person who mentioned it.
Related Concepts
Understanding tense and the passive voice makes the difference between these phrases easier to recognize.
- Simple past tense: The simple past describes an action or event completed at an earlier time. In “it was mentioned,” the act of mentioning is presented as past.
- Simple present tense: The simple present describes current facts, regular situations, or information that remains true. In “it is mentioned,” the reference is connected to the present discussion or an existing text.
- Passive voice: A passive construction emphasizes the thing affected by an action rather than the person performing it. “It was mentioned” does not identify who mentioned it.
- Time expressions: Words such as earlier, yesterday, and last year usually support “it was mentioned,” while in the report, in this article, and on the website often support “it is mentioned.”
Examples from Media and Literature
These examples show how the two phrases appear in common media, reporting, and literary discussion. They are model sentences rather than quotations.
- News reporting: “It was mentioned during yesterday’s press conference that the policy would be reviewed.” The completed press conference makes the past tense appropriate.
- Book discussion: “The character’s childhood is mentioned in the opening chapter.” The chapter remains part of the book being analyzed now.
- Film review: “It is mentioned briefly in the film that the town has faced similar problems before.” The reviewer is describing information contained in the film.
- Historical writing: “The proposed alliance was mentioned in several letters from the period.” The letters and the act of referring to the alliance belong to the past.
- Online media: “It is mentioned on the publication’s website that the interview was edited for length.” The website currently contains that information.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase, it was mentioned or it is mentioned, to complete each sentence.
- __________ during Monday’s meeting that the deadline had changed.
- __________ in the employee handbook that protective equipment is required.
- __________ earlier in the conversation, so I assumed everyone knew about it.
- __________ in the article that the study had several limitations.
- __________ by the presenter before the workshop ended that additional materials were available.
Answer Key
- It was mentioned
- It is mentioned
- It was mentioned
- It is mentioned
- It was mentioned
It Was Mentioned Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| It was stated | Someone expressed the information clearly in the past. |
| It was noted | Someone called attention to or recorded it earlier. |
| It was reported | The information was communicated in a previous report or account. |
| It was brought up | Someone introduced the topic in a past conversation; this is more casual. |
It Is Mentioned Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| It is stated | A current source expresses the information directly. |
| It is noted | A document or speaker currently draws attention to it. |
| It is reported | A current source gives the information as part of an account. |
| It appears | The information can currently be found in a text or source. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “it was mentioned” grammatically correct?
Yes. “It was mentioned” is correct when referring to a completed act of mentioning in the past, such as something said during an earlier meeting.
Question 2: Is “it is mentioned” grammatically correct?
Yes. “It is mentioned” is correct when describing information contained in a current document, source, or discussion, or when the timing is general.
Question 3: Can “it was mentioned” refer to something in a book?
Yes, especially when discussing a past reading experience or a previous passage. However, when analyzing what a book currently contains, “it is mentioned in the book” is often more natural.
Question 4: Which phrase is more formal?
Neither phrase is inherently more formal. Both are suitable for formal writing. The correct choice depends on whether the reference is past or present.
Conclusion
“It was mentioned” describes a past reference, while “it is mentioned” describes a current, ongoing, or generally available reference. Remember that was points to a completed past event and is connects the information to the present. Pro Tip: Choosing the correct tense helps your writing sound precise, polished, and professional.
