amounts were

USAGE SUMMARY

'amounts were' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
Example: The monthly electricity bills showed that energy consumption amounts were greater than expected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The amounts were relatively small.

The Guardian

Lesser amounts were owed in income taxes.

The New York Times

The amounts were just too staggering.

The New York Times

But they decided the amounts were immaterial.

The New York Times

If the amounts were trivial, jurors wouldn't convict.

The New Yorker

The amounts were very small and easy to disguise.

The Guardian

The amounts were small, but the effects dramatic.

Independent

Both amounts were the largest since the government began keeping records in April 1993.

The New York Times

The smaller amounts were what the campaigns reported having available to spend.

The New York Times

Emma Hughes, a spokesperson for the campaign group Platform, said the amounts were "paltry".

The Guardian - Arts

Housing advocates say that many homeowners did not realize the amounts were excluded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amounts were", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is being measured or quantified. For example, "The amounts were significantly higher than projected".

Common error

Avoid using "amounts was" when referring to multiple amounts. "Amounts" is plural, so the correct form is always "amounts were".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amounts were" functions as a descriptive element, typically introducing a statement about the quantity, size, or extent of something in a past context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe sizes, payments, and other numerical values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amounts were" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, suitable for various contexts including news, science, and formal writing. It serves to introduce information about the magnitude or extent of something in the past. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement to avoid errors. By employing this phrase accurately, you can effectively convey information about quantities or sizes in your writing. Consider using synonyms, such as "quantities were" or "totals were", depending on the nuance you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantities were

Replaces "amounts" with "quantities", emphasizing the number or measure of something.

sums were

Substitutes "amounts" with "sums", often used when referring to money or totals.

figures were

Replaces "amounts" with "figures", typically used in statistical or numerical contexts.

levels were

Uses "levels" instead of "amounts", suitable for discussing concentrations or intensities.

volumes were

Employs "volumes" to refer to the quantity of liquids or gases.

totals were

Focuses on the final sum or aggregate using "totals".

the quantity was

Changes the structure to emphasize the singular "quantity" with a slight shift in emphasis.

the volume was

Similar to above but uses the singular "volume".

the sum was

Changes "amounts" to the singular "sum", suitable when referring to a single total.

portions were

This substitute is ideal when discussing parts of the entire amount.

FAQs

How can I use "amounts were" in a sentence?

Use "amounts were" to describe the quantity or extent of something in the past. For instance, "The "amounts were significant"" or "The "amounts were small"".

What is a good substitute for "amounts were"?

Alternatives include phrases like "quantities were", "sums were", or "totals were depending on the specific context and the nature of what is being quantified".

Is it correct to say "amount was" instead of "amounts were"?

While "amount was" is grammatically correct, it refers to a singular amount. Use "amounts were" when discussing multiple quantities or amounts. For example: the "total amount was", or the "amounts were equal".

What's the difference between "amounts were" and "the amount was"?

"Amounts were" indicates multiple quantities, while "the amount was" refers to a single, specific quantity. The choice depends on whether you are discussing one or more amounts. An example could be: the "specified amount was" and the "different amounts were".