all were given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all were given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people received something, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "At the end of the ceremony, all were given a certificate of participation as a token of appreciation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The president of Mr. C's bank, Bernard E. Finucane, led to the exposure of the criminals, who were apprehended thru the Postal Inspection Service (the mails had been used to defraud), & all were given prison terms.

The New Yorker

Alf Jones was given his first professional contract, whilst Selwyn Whalley (who was training to become teacher), Harry Oliver and John Poole (both engineering apprentices) all were given part-time professional contracts.

Wikipedia

All were given behavioural support.

The Guardian

They all were given "latchkeys" to Osler's house.

Yale University

Then all were given both drugs for three more months.

The New York Times

Yesterday morning, all were given a pertussis booster vaccination.

The Guardian

All were given their plots & buildings by Archer M. Huntington.

The New Yorker

All were given appointments to come back another week.

The New York Times

Not all of the following awards were announced at the ceremony, but all were given.

Columbia University

Three other Hyundai officials facing similar charges were also convicted, but all were given suspended sentences.

The New York Times

Dugouts, convoys of trucks, camps and a camouflaged field -- all were given his best efforts.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all were given", ensure the context clearly specifies who 'all' refers to, preventing ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "all were given" without a clear antecedent. For example, instead of "All were given instructions", specify "The students were all given instructions" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all were given" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group received something. Ludwig AI analysis shows it is used to describe actions done to a collective subject, where the emphasis is on what was received rather than who gave it. For instance, "All were given instructions" highlights the distribution of instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

32%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all were given" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a group each received something. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it functions as a passive construction, frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, ensure the antecedent of "all" is clear to prevent ambiguity. Related phrases include "all received" and "each was provided with", offering stylistic alternatives. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "all were given" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all received

A direct synonym, replacing 'given' with 'received'.

every one was given

Emphasizes the individual aspect of receiving something.

each received

Focuses on individual reception rather than a collective giving.

each was provided with

More formal and emphasizes the act of providing.

they were granted

More formal and suggests permission or official authorization.

all were supplied with

Focuses on the act of providing or furnishing something necessary.

they all obtained

Highlights the act of acquiring or getting something.

all were furnished with

Similar to 'supplied with' but may suggest a more complete or luxurious provision.

all were awarded

Suggests recognition or achievement in receiving something.

everything was allocated to them

Emphasizes the distribution or assignment of something.

FAQs

How can I use "all were given" in a sentence?

Use "all were given" when you want to indicate that a group of individuals each received something, like in "All the participants were given a certificate of completion".

What are some alternatives to "all were given"?

You can use alternatives like "all received", "each was provided with", or "everyone obtained" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "all were given" or "everyone received"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "all were given" often sounds more formal, while "everyone received" is more commonly used in everyday speech.

What's the difference between "all were given" and "some were given"?

"All were given" indicates that every member of a group received something, while "some were given" implies that only a portion of the group received it.