every ten were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every ten were" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to a group or quantity but lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "Every ten were counted towards the total, but the method was unclear."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some people sigh, 'America controls the world, and the Jews control America.' So, is this true after all?" The piece goes on to explore Kissinger's role in the Nixon and Ford Administrations and cites a purported Fortune magazine story which found that, among the forty richest Americans in 1982, four of every ten were Jews.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Four of every ten is no niche or segment.

Forbes

In some test areas, as many as ninety-four grubs out of every hundred were infected.

The New Yorker

"Every one is unique".

The New York Times

Every one was a winner.

The New York Times

"Nearly every one is fraught with problems".

The New York Times

Every one is alive because of me".

The New York Times - Magazine

Every one is a new effort.

The New York Times

She estimated that one out of every fifty is negative.

The New Yorker

Virtually every one was damaged by the storm.

The New York Times

We have bought five German clocks in three years and every one is kaput.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing proportions, use clearer phrasing like "for every ten" or "out of ten" to avoid ambiguity and ensure grammatical correctness. For example, "For every ten applicants, only one is accepted" provides better clarity than "Every ten applicants were accepted".

Common error

Avoid using "every ten were" when a singular subject or a more precise quantitative expression is needed. Instead of "Every ten were chosen", use "For every group of ten, a selection was made" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every ten were" functions as a quantifier, attempting to express a proportional relationship. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase lacks standard grammatical structure, resulting in ambiguity. It tries to indicate that for each set of ten items, something is true of those items.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every ten were" is grammatically flawed and lacks standard usage. Ludwig AI identifies its structural weakness, advising against its use in formal writing. Although the phrase appears in various contexts, including news and scientific sources, better alternatives exist for conveying proportional relationships more effectively. Phrases such as "for every ten" or "out of every ten" provide greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. While the intention may be clear, avoiding "every ten were" is crucial for maintaining precision and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for every ten

Emphasizes a ratio or proportion between two quantities, clarifying the relationship.

in each group of ten

Highlights a specific grouping or subset within a larger set.

out of every ten

Specifies a fraction or percentage based on a sample size of ten.

for each set of ten

Similar to "in each group of ten", reinforcing the idea of distinct subsets.

of every ten items

Highlights elements from a larger collection, focusing on the proportion.

among every ten

Indicates a position or incidence within a small collection.

within every ten

Emphasizes containment or occurrence inside individual sets of ten.

per ten units

Uses unit measurement to specify quantities or amounts on a standardized basis.

every tenth one

Highlights the selection of singular elements at intervals of ten, changing quantity expression.

ten at a time

Indicates iterative actions in increments of ten, differing in active procedure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "every ten were" to be grammatically correct?

To correct the phrase "every ten were", use alternatives such as "for every ten", "out of every ten", or "in each group of ten". Each of these alternatives—like "for every ten"—ensures grammatical correctness and clarity.

What does "every ten were" imply, and is it commonly used in formal writing?

The phrase "every ten were" attempts to express a proportion or ratio, but its structure is grammatically weak. In formal writing, it's better to use clearer phrases like "out of every ten" or "for every ten" to maintain precision and professionalism.

When is it appropriate to use "every ten were" in a sentence?

Due to its grammatical issues, it's rarely appropriate to use "every ten were" in formal or academic contexts. If you need to express a proportion, it's better to use "in each group of ten", which provides clarity and grammatical precision.

Which is more accurate, "every ten were" or "for every ten"?

"For every ten" is more accurate because it correctly sets up a ratio or proportional relationship. "Every ten were" lacks clear grammatical structure and can lead to confusion.