that were directed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were directed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or instructions that were aimed at a specific subject or audience in the past. Example: "The recommendations that were directed to the team were well-received and implemented promptly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More recently, Ms. Feuer (pronounced FOY-er) was acclaimed in New York for her direction of movement and her choreography in plays that were directed by Bergman for Sweden's Royal Dramatic Theater and that were presented by the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

The New York Times

Soft music, heavy on sax and synth, played on speakers that were directed toward the stands.

The New Yorker

I saw hardly any films at all that were directed by women.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Gibson is hugely successful in conveying the magnitude of the persecution and brutality that were directed at Christ.

The New York Times

I appreciate your policy of mentioning only those items that were directed to you specifically; it's the cleanest way.

The New York Times

Ignoring American pleas to withdraw from the West Bank, Israeli raids that were directed at the "Palestinian terrorist infrastructure" grew in intensity.

The New York Times

Witness the newspaper attacks last year that were directed not just at Professor David Nutt himself, but also at his family.

The Guardian

He read it to me, slowly and clearly, pronouncing with strange empathy every one of the words of rebuke that were directed at him.

The New Yorker

In 2009 Hawke toured internationally in productions of The Cherry Orchard and The Winter's Tale that were directed by Sam Mendes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Force Awakens will be the seventh Star Wars movie, following the less critically successful trilogy of prequels that were directed by creator George Lucas and released between 1999 and 2005.

The Guardian - Film

If they apply political pressure, then China could become the enemy," at least in Kim Jong-un's eyes, "and then the missiles that were directed at the U.S. and its allies are suddenly pointed at them".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that were directed" when you want to clearly indicate the target or recipient of an action, effort, or communication. For example, "The resources that were directed to the project led to its success."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "that were directed" as it can make your writing sound vague or indirect. Consider rephrasing to use active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The criticisms that were directed at him were harsh", try "People harshly criticized him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were directed" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about it. It specifies which items or actions are being referred to by indicating they were aimed or focused on something specific. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were directed" functions as a relative clause used to specify the target or recipient of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. It's particularly common in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overuse of passive voice and consider rephrasing for a more active and engaging writing style. Related phrases like "that were aimed" or "that were targeted" can offer subtle differences in meaning, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were aimed

Focuses on the intention or goal of the action, similar to "directed" but emphasizes the aiming.

that were targeted

Highlights the specific focus of the action, often implying a strategic or deliberate approach.

that were geared

Emphasizes the preparation or adaptation for a particular purpose.

that were intended

Focuses on the planned or desired outcome of the action.

that were channeled

Implies a specific route or pathway through which the action or effort was conveyed.

that were focused

Highlights the concentration or attention given to a specific area or objective.

that were addressed

Indicates that something was dealt with or given attention.

that were assigned

Highlights the allocation or designation of a task or responsibility.

that were designated

Emphasizes the official or formal assignment of a purpose or role.

that were destined

Suggests a predetermined or inevitable direction or outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "that were directed" to specify the target of an action or instruction. For example, "The funds "that were directed" towards education helped improve literacy rates."

What are some alternatives to "that were directed"?

Alternatives include "that were aimed", "that were targeted", or "that were intended", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "that were directed" is grammatically correct, using active voice can often make your writing more direct and concise. For instance, instead of "The efforts that were directed at the problem", you could say "They directed their efforts at the problem".

What's the difference between "that were directed" and "that were addressed"?

"That were directed" implies a specific target or recipient, while "that were addressed" suggests that something was dealt with or given attention. For example, resources might be "directed" at a project, while concerns might be "addressed" in a meeting.