most were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most were" is a correct part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a collection of things that were predominantly one thing or a group of people that were mostly one thing. For example: "Most of the books in the library were fiction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most were zealous Zionists.

The Economist

Most were Taiwanese nationals.

The Economist

Most were tattooed.

The New Yorker

Most were solemn.

The New Yorker

Most were fined.

The Economist

Most were Sunni.

The New Yorker

Most were more national.

The New York Times

Most were sent back.

The New York Times

Most were bearded.

The New Yorker

Most were nonplussed.

The New York Times

Most were unavailable.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most were", ensure that the context clearly defines the group you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the scope of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "most were" when the actual proportion is significantly less than a majority. If only a small percentage exhibits a trait, consider using phrases like "some were" or "a few were" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most were" functions as a quantifier followed by a verb, indicating that a majority of a previously mentioned group shared a specific characteristic or state. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where it's used to describe a common attribute among a collection of individuals or items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most were" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that a majority of a group shared a common attribute or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity with multiple examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. While versatile and suitable for neutral contexts, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects a genuine majority and clearly defines the group in question. Alternatives like "the majority were" can be used for variety. Correct use avoids overgeneralization, maintaining clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority were

Replaces "most" with "the majority", emphasizing that more than half were in a particular state or condition.

a large proportion were

Indicates that a considerable segment of a group shared a common trait or experience.

predominantly were

Highlights that a specific group was mainly composed of individuals sharing a certain attribute.

largely were

Suggests that the greater part of a group exhibited a certain quality or characteristic.

for the most part were

Indicates that a state or condition was generally true of the majority of a group.

almost all were

Emphasizes that nearly the entire group possessed the same trait.

in most instances were

Highlights that a particular attribute was prevalent across the majority of occurrences.

typically were

Suggests that the state or condition was a usual or expected characteristic within the group.

generally were

Indicates that a particular attribute was usually observed across the group.

the bulk were

Emphasizes that the largest part of a group was characterized by a specific trait.

FAQs

How do I use "most were" in a sentence?

Use "most were" to indicate that the majority of a group shared a specific characteristic or state. For example, "Most were satisfied with the results" indicates that more than half of those involved were happy.

What can I say instead of "most were"?

You can use alternatives like "the majority were", "a large proportion were", or "predominantly were" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "most was" instead of "most were"?

No, "most was" is grammatically incorrect. "Most" refers to a plural quantity, requiring the plural verb "were". Using "was" implies singularity, which contradicts the meaning of "most".

How does the context affect the interpretation of "most were"?

The context provides the scope of the group being discussed. Without context, it's unclear what "most" refers to, leading to potential misinterpretations. Always ensure the group is clearly defined when using "most were".