samples were

USAGE SUMMARY

"samples were" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previous group of samples or to introduce a group of samples being discussed. Example: "Samples were taken from different parts of the city to analyze air quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blood samples were drawn.

The New York Times

The samples were then combined.

The New York Times

Three blood samples were taken.

The New Yorker

Additional samples were taken Friday.

The New York Times

The formula samples were a godsend.

The New York Times

The two samples were then combined.

The New York Times

The samples were on six slides.

The New York Times

"All of the five samples were excellent.

The New York Times

Blood samples were taken for CD4 counts.

The New York Times - Health

Previously samples were only 30 seconds long.

TechCrunch

Samples were processed.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "samples were", ensure the verb tense aligns with the time frame of the research or study being discussed. Maintain consistency throughout the document for clarity.

Common error

Avoid abruptly switching tenses when describing the sampling process. For instance, don't mix "samples were collected" with "the data shows" within the same paragraph. Maintain consistency to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "samples were" functions as a grammatical subject followed by an auxiliary verb, indicating a passive construction. This structure introduces actions performed on the samples, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "samples were" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used passive construction, primarily found in scientific and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its main function is to describe actions performed upon samples, with the phrase serving to introduce experimental methodologies and results. While alternatives exist for stylistic variation, "samples were" remains a clear and direct choice for objective reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specimens have been

Changes from a passive past tense to a passive present perfect tense, emphasizing the ongoing relevance.

samples included

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct statement of inclusion.

samples consisted of

Specifies the composition of the samples, providing more detail.

measurements indicated

Shifts the focus from the samples themselves to the information derived from them.

data revealed

Similar to the previous entry, but focuses on the uncovering of information.

tests showed

Implies that tests were conducted on the samples, highlighting the testing process.

analyses demonstrated

Highlights that analysis was perfomed and the ensuing results.

observations confirmed

Highlights observations done with the samples and the ensuing confirmation.

the sampling involved

Changes the structure to focus on the process of sampling rather than the samples themselves.

the set of samples

Rephrases to emphasize a set of samples rather than their action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "samples were" is used to describe actions performed on a set of samples. For example, "samples were collected", "samples were analyzed", or "samples were tested".

What are some alternatives to saying "samples were"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "specimens have been", "samples included", or "the sampling involved" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how samples were processed?

While passive voice (e.g., "samples were analyzed") is common in scientific writing to emphasize the object of the action, active voice (e.g., "we analyzed the samples") can be clearer and more direct. Choose the voice that best suits the tone and purpose of your writing.

What's the difference between "samples were obtained" and "samples were taken"?

Both phrases are quite similar, but "samples were taken" often implies a more direct action of physically removing a portion of something, while "samples were obtained" can refer to acquiring samples through various means, including collection, purchase, or donation.