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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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data were attained

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data were attained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the collection or acquisition of data, particularly in research or analytical writing. Example: "In the study, data were attained through surveys conducted over a six-month period."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Firstly, experimental growth data were attained for Escherichia coli W3110 immobilised in agar at fixed temperatures.

Follow-up data were attained for a maximum of 14 years and a minimum of 3 years.

Data were not collected from patient records; demographic and clinical data were attained solely through patient self-report.

However, in the WHS, we had a 91% positive predictive value in a validation study of self-reported type 2 diabetes using American Diabetes Association criteria, for which data were attained by telephone interview, supplemental questionnaire, or review of medical records from treating physicians (21).

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The relationship between the input and output data was attained by ANN to approximate any function with finite number of discontinuities by learning their relationships (Hagan et al. 1996).

Valuable experimental data was attained to assess the dynamic response of as-built URM parapets, and the results were compared with the assessment procedures available in the literature and current guidelines for practice.

Once the GLD fits to survival data is attained, other summary statistics such as hazards can be easily obtained and will be consistent with the same underlying survival distribution and the distributional shape of survival times can be easily gleaned by plotting the fitted GLD.

The Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) data was attained from thirty U.S. trios, which were collected in 1980 from U.S. residents with northern and western European ancestry.

Science

Plosone

Viscosity data was attained during this time by extracting three 500 µl samples.

This data was attained using a self administered questionnaire which was collected at the time of the assessment.

From the clade which miRBase still calls pisces (1623 hairpins), the following species' data hairpins were attained: Cyprinus carpio (ccr, 134), Danio rerio (dre, 346), Fugu rubripes (fru, 131), Hippoglossus hippoglossus (hhi, 40), Ictalurus punctatus (ipu, 281), Oryzias latipes (ola, 168), Paralichthys olivaceus (pol, 20), Salmo salar (ssa, 371), and Tetraodon nigroviridis (tni, 132).

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "data were attained" in formal writing, especially when emphasizing the process or method by which the data was acquired. Ensure that the context supports the passive voice for clarity and focus.

Common error

Avoid using "data were attained" when the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "the researchers ensured that data were attained", consider "the researchers attained the data" for a more direct and concise statement.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data were attained" functions as a passive construction indicating the successful acquisition of information. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrasing is commonly used in academic and scientific literature to describe the process of data collection and retrieval.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

100%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "data were attained" is a grammatically correct, although rare, phrase predominantly found in scientific and formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the process by which data is acquired, with a focus on the attainment itself. While alternatives like "data was collected" or "data was obtained" may be more common in general usage, "data were attained" maintains a formal tone suitable for academic and research-oriented writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context supports passive voice and that a formal tone is desired.

FAQs

What does "data were attained" mean?

The phrase "data were attained" means that data was successfully acquired or obtained, usually through a specific process or effort. It's often used in formal or scientific contexts to describe how data was gathered.

What are some alternatives to "data were attained"?

You can use alternatives like "data was collected", "data was obtained", or "data was acquired" depending on the context. These alternatives provide similar meanings while varying the emphasis on the method of data acquisition.

Is it better to say "data was attained" or "data were attained"?

The correct form is "data were attained" because "data" is the plural form of "datum". Therefore, it requires a plural verb form. However, "data was collected" is also correct and often preferred because it's less formal and sounds more natural.

In what contexts should I use "data were attained"?

Use "data were attained" in formal or scientific writing when you want to emphasize the process or method through which the data was acquired. This phrase is suitable when describing research methodologies or analytical procedures where precision is important.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: