He was bit by a shark vs He was bitten by a shark

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'He was bit by a shark' is grammatically correct but less common in formal writing. 'He was bitten by a shark' is the more commonly used and accepted form in both spoken and written English.

Last updated: March 08, 2024 • 2057 views

This phrase is grammatically correct but less common in formal writing.

"He was bit by a shark"

This phrase is used to describe a past event where someone was bitten by a shark. It is less formal and less commonly used compared to 'he was bitten by a shark.'

Show examples from the web [+]

Tammie Brooks said Corey had gone to the beach with family friends when she received the "bad news he was bit by a shark. They told me he was airlifted here ...
Aug 6, 2008 ... "American Idol" host and radio superstar Ryan Seacrest announced on his radio show Monday that he was bit by a shark while in Mexico.
May 5, 2013 ... At first he thought he scrapped it on coral but within seconds, he knew he was bit by a shark. "I was scared it was going to come back, so I ...
... 12:55 p.m., the victim, a 28-year-old male from Kailua-Kona, was swimming in waters off of Mahaiula Beach when he was bit by a shark.

Alternatives:

he was bitten by a shark

This phrase is the more commonly used and accepted form in both spoken and written English.

"He was bitten by a shark"

This phrase is the standard way to describe a past event where someone was bitten by a shark. It is more formal and widely accepted compared to 'he was bit by a shark.'

Show examples from the web [+]

Nov 29, 2014 ... Shark attack at Dawesville Cameron Pearman at the Dawesville beach where he was bitten by a shark this morning. Picture: Mogens ...
Nov 30, 2014 ... The injuries sustained by Cameron Pearman when he was bitten by a shark at Port Bouvard on Saturday morning. The 13-year-old had been ...
3 days ago ... She started wondering what could have happened, but did not imagine that he was bitten by a shark. “You don't think this is ever going to ...
Nov 28, 2014 ... Photo: Cameron Pearman said he was bitten by a shark while surfing off the Dawesville Cut. (ABC News: Katrin Long). Topics: shark, bouvard- ...

Alternatives:

he was bit by a shark

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He was bit by a shark vs He was bitten by a shark