that were present at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were present at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals or items that were physically or metaphorically in attendance at a specific event or location. Example: "The researchers discussed the findings with the participants that were present at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Khatami's election in 1997 exposed fault lines that were present at the creation of the Islamic Republic.

The New York Times

Mr. Tomlinson's death has stoked anger about police heavy-handedness among protest groups that were present at the demonstration.

The New York Times

We have run into folks over the years that were present at the Bob Hope Vietnam shows so many years ago.

The Guardian - Music

They were called "witness trees" – an expression also used today for trees that were present at key events in American history like Civil War battles.

The New York Times

It did not deny that Mr. Bogdanov made the extensive comments, which were disseminated by Russian news agencies that were present at the hearing.

The New York Times

The aim was to catch the attention of the stump cameras that were present at international matches and to have a bit of fun with the commentary team.

Independent

"The record shows Wal-Mart exposed its employees to the hazards that were present at the store during Blitz Day 2008 for a three-year period, that is, Blitz Days 2006, 2007 and 2008," Ms. Rooney wrote.

The New York Times

Considerable research has found that people typically attribute behaviour either to stable personality characteristics, termed dispositions, or to the situations that were present at the time the behaviour occurred.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here are thumbnail sketches (of varying depth) of all companies that were present at the event.

TechCrunch

At the beginning of each new leg, the prepared solution did not include the undissolved solids that were present at the end of the previous leg.

Geochemical Transactions

The specific substances and classes of medications that were present at lethal levels at the time of self-poisoning suicide are shown in Fig. 1.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness in your writing, consider replacing the phrase "that were present at" with the more direct "who attended" or another similar construction.

Common error

Avoid using "that were present at" when an active construction would be clearer and more engaging. For example, instead of "the scientists that were present at the conference," try "the scientists attending the conference."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were present at" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by specifying which individuals or items were located at a particular place or event. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were present at" serves as a grammatically correct and commonly used relative clause to specify individuals or items located at a particular place or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to identify and provide detail, its tone is neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, and is most frequently found in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedic content. For more concise alternatives, consider using "who attended" or simply restructuring the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who attended

Replaces the relative clause with a simpler, more direct construction using the verb "attended".

that were in attendance at

Adds formality by using the noun phrase "in attendance" instead of the verb "present".

who were on hand for

Uses the idiom "on hand" to indicate availability and presence at an event.

that participated in

Focuses on the act of taking part in an event, rather than just being physically there.

that were on site at

Emphasizes the physical location of the individuals or items at a specific place.

that witnessed

Highlights the act of observing an event, implying presence and direct experience.

that were involved in

Suggests active participation and a role in the event or situation.

who were there for

Uses a more casual and straightforward way to indicate presence.

that were at the

A shortened version, omitting "present", implying presence by location.

that graced with their presence

Adds a touch of elegance and formality, suggesting their presence was a special occasion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that were present at" for brevity?

Consider using alternatives like "who attended", "participating", or simply "at the" depending on the context to make your sentence more concise.

Is there a more formal way to say "that were present at"?

Yes, you can use the phrase "that were in attendance at" to add a level of formality to your writing.

What is the difference between "that were present at" and "that were involved in"?

"That were present at" simply indicates physical presence at a location or event, while "that were involved in" suggests active participation and a role in the event or situation.

When is it best to use "that were present at" over other similar phrases?

Use "that were present at" when you want to specifically emphasize the physical presence of individuals or items at a particular event or location, without necessarily implying active participation or involvement.