that were signed

USAGE SUMMARY

"that were signed" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to something that has been signed in the past. Example: The documents that were signed sealed the agreement between both parties.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So Republicans scrambled to try to fix thousand of applications that were signed and returned incomplete.

The New York Times

She also cites five Ripper letters that were signed "Nemo," Latin for "Nobody".

The New York Times - Arts

"That club was carried by those guys that were signed and developed the old-fashioned way.

The New York Times

The group's report captures only contracts that closed in the month, not the ones that were signed.

The Washington Post

They've even refused to enforce non-competes that were signed in other states, announcing them contrary to state policy.

Harvard Business Review

All the major labels have tried to renegotiate licensing agreements with YouTube that were signed in 2006 and 2007.

The New York Times - Tech

He said Ms. Taylor had tried to leave the meeting with "three blank pages that were signed by Seif".

The New York Times

These regulations were open for public comments, and PRPCP drafted comments on both rules that were signed by more than 60 prominent legal academics.

Columbia University

Although most will be sent off for cataloging at a later date, I found 2 books that were signed by Charlie Chaplin himself.

Columbia University

Here's another example: The Chinese military base in Djibouti included huge investment deals and developmental projects that were signed into the base package deal.

The Washington Post

They admitted deliberately booking sales and profits for Computer Associates on contracts that were signed shortly after the end of the quarter in which the sales were booked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that were signed", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "the contracts that were signed" instead of just "the signed that".

Common error

Avoid using "which" when the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning. "That" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses, while "which" is used for non-restrictive clauses set off by commas. Remember, the contracts that were signed are binding versus the contracts, which were signed, are now in a vault.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were signed" functions as a relative clause, specifically a restrictive relative clause. It modifies a noun, providing essential information about which specific items are being referred to. Ludwig shows that it is commonly used to specify documents, agreements, or other items that have been formally endorsed with signatures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

16%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were signed" is a grammatically correct and very common relative clause used to specify items endorsed with signatures. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While versatile, it's particularly prevalent in news and media, academic and scientific writing, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject (e.g., "the contracts that were signed"). Alternatives like "which were signed" or "bearing signatures" may suit different stylistic preferences or levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which were signed

Uses "which" instead of "that" as the relative pronoun, offering a stylistic variation.

that had been signed

Emphasizes the completion of the signing action before a specific point in time.

that got signed

Uses a more informal verb, "got", in place of "were", creating a more conversational tone.

signed ones

A shorter, more direct way of referring to something that has been signed.

which had signatures

Shifts the focus to the presence of signatures, emphasizing authentication.

bearing signatures

More formal than "that were signed", describing the presence of signatures.

with signatures affixed

Highlights the act of attaching signatures in a formal context.

that were executed

Emphasizes the formal completion and validity of the signing process.

having been signed

Uses a participial phrase to indicate a prior signing action, offering a more concise expression.

duly signed

Implies that the signing was carried out correctly and officially.

FAQs

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

Use "that were signed" to describe documents, agreements, or other items that have signatures. For example, "The agreements "that were signed" last year are now under review".

What's a more formal way to say "that were signed"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "that were executed" or "bearing signatures". These options add a touch of professionalism to your writing.

Is it correct to use "which were signed" instead of "that were signed"?

While both are grammatically correct, "that were signed" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. "Which were signed" is more suitable for non-restrictive clauses, which add extra information but aren't crucial.

Can "that were signed" be used in all contexts?

Yes, "that were signed" is versatile and appropriate in various contexts, from formal legal documents to informal discussions. However, consider the formality of your audience and choose the language accordingly.