that were formed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were formed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was created or established in the past. Example: "The committee reviewed the guidelines that were formed during the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Include a brief explanation of the new countries that were formed.

The New York Times

And you can say goodbye to any islands that were formed by corals.

The New York Times - Science

The Galápagos Penguin resides in sheltered bays that were formed long ago by ancient lava flows (Bailey 1962).

Cornell University

The rocks that were formed or deposited during the period constitute the Carboniferous System.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Somalia, none of the various governments that were formed was able to stamp its authority on the country.

The Guardian

The political pacts that were formed in 1978, following the death of Franco, appear to be falling apart.

The New Yorker

"A lot of the charities that were formed in recent years aren't going to make it," he said.

The New York Times

The big beneficiaries are groups like Rock the Vote that were formed to engage young people in politics.

The New York Times

Jewish community centres originated in the Jewish young men's literary societies that were formed in U.S. cities in the 1840s.

Britannica

In this work we focus on NiWB thin films that were formed by this method.

Electrochimica Acta

It also explains the temperature of the cosmic microwave background and the amounts of different elements that were formed in the early universe.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more sophisticated tone, consider alternatives such as "that came into existence" or "that were established" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

While "that were formed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were formed" typically functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about it. It identifies or describes the noun it refers to, specifying which entities or items are being discussed. Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were formed" functions as a relative clause, commonly used to describe entities created or established in the past. It's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting various contexts from scientific articles to news reports. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. While "that were formed" is a reliable choice, consider alternatives such as "that were created" or "that came into existence" to add variety to your writing. Overusing the passive voice, however, should be avoided. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were created

Substitutes "formed" with the synonym "created", emphasizing the act of creation.

that were made

A simpler and more direct synonym for "that were formed".

that were established

Replaces "formed" with "established", suggesting a more formal or organized creation.

that came into existence

Replaces "formed" with a more general term for beginning to exist.

that were developed

Suggests a process of gradual improvement and refinement.

which originated

Uses "originated" to focus on the point of origin or beginning.

that were generated

Emphasizes the act of producing or bringing something into being.

which were constructed

Highlights the building or assembly of something.

that took shape

Implies a gradual development or evolution into a final form.

that arose

Focuses on the emergence or appearance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "that were formed" to describe something created or established in the past. For instance, "The alliances "that were formed" backstage fueled the debate."

What are some alternatives to "that were formed"?

Alternatives include "that were created", "that were established", or "that came into existence", depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing something that was created?

While passive voice with "that were formed" is grammatically correct, using active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The alliances "that were formed"," you could say "They formed alliances."

What is the difference between "that were formed" and "that were created"?

Both phrases are similar, but "that were created" often implies a more deliberate act of creation, while "that were formed" can suggest a more gradual or natural process. The best choice depends on the specific context.