quantities were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quantities were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing amounts or measurements in various contexts, such as scientific, mathematical, or general descriptions. Example: "The quantities were measured accurately to ensure the experiment's validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And although prices were stellar, quantities were worrisome.

The New York Times - Food

Although supplies were arriving by boat, the quantities were inadequate to meet need, she said.

The Guardian

Second, when Iraq finally admitted having these weapons in 1995, the quantities were vast.

The Guardian

They also detected a second amino acid, beta-alanine, but the quantities were too minuscule to confirm.

The New York Times - Science

Ursino has nailed the flavor, but on my two visits, the quantities were uneven.

The New York Times

Substantial quantities were also dispersed across parts of the English Channel and the North Sea.

Independent

The evidence at the schoolbook warehouse confirms just how large those quantities were.

The New York Times

Configurational properties and rheological quantities were calculated.

Polymer

LTB4 quantities were calculated on the basis of PGB1.

Clinical Phytoscience

Relative transcript quantities were calculated using the ΔΔCt method.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Only minor quantities were transported with the off gas stream.

Chemical Engineering Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quantities were", ensure the noun you're quantifying is clear and specific. For instance, specify "quantities of water were" rather than simply "quantities were."

Common error

Avoid using "quantities was" when referring to multiple items. "Quantities" is plural, so the verb must agree and remain "were".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quantities were" primarily functions as part of a clause expressing the state or characteristic of certain amounts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples illustrate its role in describing measurements, assessments, or the state of specified amounts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quantities were" is grammatically correct and very common in written English. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to describe the state or characteristic of certain amounts, and its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While alternatives like "amounts were" or "volumes were" exist, "quantities were" often implies a higher degree of precision. When using this phrase, ensure proper noun agreement and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amounts were

Replaces "quantities" with "amounts", focusing on the sum or aggregate.

volumes were

Substitutes "quantities" with "volumes", specifically referring to the amount of space occupied.

numbers were

Replaces "quantities" with "numbers", suitable when referring to countable items.

portions were

Substitutes "quantities" with "portions", emphasizing a part or share of a whole.

figures were

Replaces "quantities" with "figures", often used in statistical or numerical contexts.

levels were

Substitutes "quantities" with "levels", appropriate when discussing the degree or intensity of something.

extents were

Replaces "quantities" with "extents", focusing on the degree to which something reaches or stretches.

measures were

Substitutes "quantities" with "measures", highlighting the act of quantifying or assessing.

the amount was

Rephrases the structure to emphasize a singular amount rather than multiple quantities.

the scale was

Replaces "quantities" with "scale", focusing on the relative size or extent.

FAQs

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

Use "quantities were" to describe the amount of something, for example, "The "quantities were measured" precisely" or "The "quantities were insufficient" to meet the demand".

What's the difference between "amounts were" and "quantities were"?

"Amounts were" and "quantities were" are often interchangeable, but "quantities" can imply more precision or measurement. "Amounts were" is generally used for less precise estimations, while "quantities were" suggests something was counted or measured more accurately.

What can I say instead of "quantities were"?

You can use phrases like "amounts were", "volumes were", or "numbers were" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the quantity were"?

No, it is not correct. Since "quantity" is singular, the correct form is "the quantity was". "Quantities were" is used when referring to multiple amounts.