that were developed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were developed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been created or established in the past, often in a descriptive context. Example: "The software features that were developed over the last year have significantly improved user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Even downtown, things that were developed in the 1960s and 1970s are already being torn down".

The New York Times

"We didn't want to reuse principles that were developed years ago," Mr. Lambert said.

The New York Times

As a result, the drugs that were developed to treat men's heart problems sometimes made women's problems worse.

The Guardian

There are already drugs on the market that were developed for other purposes, but can cause cAMP to rise.

The New York Times - Science

Works that were developed would be funneled onto stages and exhibition spaces that are intimately linked to the studios.

The New York Times - Arts

But in the past the plays that were developed were being developed to a purpose: the staging of that play.

The Guardian

What are some of the gadgets mentioned in the article that were developed for the television series "Alias"?

The New York Times

"Some of the same algorithms that were developed for the last generation can sometimes be used for the next generation".

The New York Times - Tech

No longer is there a stigma attached to offering products that were developed by another company, he said.

The New York Times

The chief requirement for the few forms that were developed was that they be easily movable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Myriad's own discovery — like any in science — used technologies and ideas that were developed by others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "that were developed", ensure that the context clearly indicates what or who was responsible for the development. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "that were developed" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct. Consider rephrasing to use active voice when possible for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were developed" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about it. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were developed" functions as a relative clause, commonly used across various contexts to describe something that has undergone a process of creation or evolution. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal and neutral registers. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, it effectively serves to provide additional information about a noun, indicating its origin or method of creation. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "that have been created" or "that were designed" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that have been created

Uses "created" instead of "developed", implying a more general act of bringing something into existence.

that have been designed

Replaces "developed" with "designed", suggesting a deliberate planning and structuring process.

that were produced

Substitutes "developed" with "produced", implying the creation of something, often in a manufacturing or systematic context.

that were established

Replaces "developed" with "established", indicating something that has been founded or set up.

that were formulated

Uses "formulated" instead of "developed", suggesting the creation of a plan, strategy, or idea.

that were implemented

Replaces "developed" with "implemented", focusing on the execution or putting something into effect after its creation.

that were built

Substitutes "developed" with "built", implying a construction or assembly process.

that originated

Replaces "that were developed" with a verb implying the start of something at some point of time, from a source.

that were conceived

Uses "conceived" instead of "developed", implying the formulation of an idea or plan.

that were generated

Replaces "developed" with "generated", focusing on the act of producing or creating something.

FAQs

How can I use "that were developed" in a sentence?

Use "that were developed" to describe something that has been created or brought into existence through a process. For example, "The technologies "that were developed" for space exploration have many applications on Earth."

What's a simple alternative to "that were developed"?

A simpler alternative could be "that were created". This substitutes "developed" with a more common and direct verb.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "that were developed"?

While the passive voice is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The tools "that were developed" helped improve efficiency", you could say "Engineers developed tools that improved efficiency."

Which is more formal, "that were developed" or "that were made"?

"That were developed" is generally considered more formal than "that were made". "Developed" implies a more complex or intentional process of creation.