items were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "items were" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to items that have already been mentioned or when referring to something that happened in the past. Example: The shelves were filled with items, and items were scattered across the floor.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cost of items: 7.50 euros.

The New York Times - Travel

The inventory measures the following characteristics: Honesty-Humility (Items 10; α = 0.81), Emotionality (Items 10; α = 0.83), Extraversion (Items 10; α = 0.74), Agreeableness (Items 10; α = 0.87), Conscientiousness (Items 10; α = 0.80) and Openness to experience (Items 10; α = 0.78).

Nature

programs, 46 items, 6 pcs.

Cornell University

2481, added items 221 and 222 and redesignated former item 221 as 226.

Cornell University

1601, added items 825a, 826a, and 829 and struck out former items 825a "Art.

Cornell University

Archive/Manuscript — 17 items (20 leaves).

Stanford University

2619, added items 137 and 139a and struck out former item 137 "Director of Defense Research and Engineering".

Cornell University

Correspondence, notes, and relevant items, 7 folders.

Cornell University

Remove household items   6.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

This follows from items (1 - 9).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

(items 17 and 18) DEP Dependent (items 19 and 20) ANX Anxious personality disorder (items 21 and 22).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "items were", ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly defined and that the passive voice is appropriate for the context. It works best when the actor performing the action is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "items were" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The items were arranged by John", use "John arranged the items".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "items were" functions as a passive construction. It indicates that the items received an action, rather than performing one. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "items were" is a grammatically correct and usable passive construction that indicates a past state or action performed on specific objects or goods. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts. Due to a lack of examples, it's difficult to determine specific usage patterns, but it's generally considered neutral in register and appropriate when the actor is unknown or unimportant. To ensure clarity and conciseness, consider whether the active voice might be a more direct and effective alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goods were

Replaces "items" with the synonym "goods", maintaining the passive voice.

articles were

Substitutes "items" with "articles", offering a slight shift in connotation.

items had been

Focuses on the past perfect tense, indicating the items' state before a specific past time.

objects were

Uses "objects" instead of "items", providing a more general term.

products were

Replaces "items" with "products", suitable when referring to manufactured goods.

the items included

Emphasizes the act of including or comprising specific objects or elements.

materials were

Uses "materials" to emphasize the substance or components that made up the items.

the items consisted of

Highlights the composition or elements that constituted the items.

a selection of items

Highlights that there was a choice of items. Introduces the concept of selection.

the collection was

Shifts the focus to the collection as a whole, rather than individual items.

FAQs

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

You can use "items were" to describe the state of objects or goods in the past. For example, "The "items were damaged" during shipping" or "The "items were sold" at a discounted price".

What are some alternatives to "items were"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "goods were", "articles were", or "objects were". These alternatives provide similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "items were"?

The choice depends on the context. If the actor is unknown or unimportant, the passive voice with "items were" is appropriate. However, if the actor is important, the active voice may be clearer. For example, instead of "The items were delivered", consider "The delivery service delivered the items".

What's the difference between "items were" and "items are"?

"Items were" refers to a past state, while "items are" refers to a present state. For example, "The "items were on sale" last week" (past) versus "The "items are on sale" this week" (present).