there were described

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were described" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that something was described, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "In the report, there were described several key findings that need further investigation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In alcoholics who were active smokers, there were described decreased salivary flow and output of salivary acquired and innate immune proteins [ 8, 26, 36, 37].

Disease Markers

There were described cases in yaks in India and China but no information on the prevalence of C. abortus in white yaks.

BMC Veterinary Research

Viral hepatitis E is an infectious disease which is mainly spread in Asia India, Pakistann) and in some regions of Africa, Central and South America, but there were described some imported cases in Spain and Italy.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Because just visual appreciation can sometimes introduce diagnosis bias, there were described some computed post-processing techniques (rise time and mean transit time, peak intensity, and area under the curve etc).

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The situation there is described by activists as grave, with shortages of food, water and medical supplies.

The New York Times

His work there is described in his book Un teatro de arte en España (1926; "An Art Theatre in Spain").

Encyclopedia Britannica

The main results as obtained there are described.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

In the third section there is described a design of robotic arm with artificial muscles for rehabilitation of the upper limb.

Procedia Engineering

Her background in Ukraine and her Jewish family's escape from there are described in harrowing detail by Benjamin Moser in his brilliant biography Why This World.

The Guardian - Books

There are described many methods of joining between timber beam and concrete slab in technical literature.

Procedia Engineering

There are described history, study and research activities, and graduate profiles.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "there were described" in formal writing. Opt for more direct and active constructions for clarity and impact.

Common error

Relying on passive constructions like "there were described" can make your writing sound vague and less engaging. Prioritize active voice where possible to make your sentences more dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were described" functions as a passive construction, where the emphasis is shifted away from the actor (who is describing) and onto the subject being described. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is considered grammatically awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were described" is a grammatically valid but stylistically weak passive construction. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that while it appears in various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias, it is generally better to opt for more direct and active constructions for improved clarity and impact. Alternatives like "were outlined" or "were detailed" often provide a stronger and more concise way to convey the intended meaning. Therefore, while not strictly incorrect, writers should exercise caution when using "there were described" and consider whether a more active and engaging alternative would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were described

This omits "there", making the sentence more direct.

were outlined

Focuses on the key elements or structure being presented.

were detailed

Implies a more thorough and comprehensive presentation.

were mentioned

Suggests a brief or passing reference.

were presented

Highlights the act of formally introducing information.

were identified

Emphasizes the act of recognizing or discovering something specific.

were illustrated

Indicates that examples or visuals were used to clarify the descriptions.

were characterized

Implies that specific attributes or qualities were attributed.

were showcased

Highlights a display or exhibition of described elements.

were delineated

Suggests that something was precisely defined or marked out.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "there were described"?

Instead of "there were described", you can use alternatives like "were outlined", "were detailed", or simply "were described" omitting the "there" for a more concise sentence.

What's wrong with using "there were described"?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "there were described" is considered awkward and stylistically weak. It often leads to less impactful and more roundabout phrasing. It is preferable to use active voice constructions.

Is "there are described" better than "there were described"?

Both "there are described" and "there were described" are generally considered awkward. The best approach is to rephrase the sentence to use a more direct and active construction. For example, using a simpler "are described" or "were described" omitting the "there".

What are some stronger alternatives to "there were described"?

Stronger alternatives include using verbs like "outlined", "detailed", "presented", or simply restructuring the sentence to highlight the subject and action. For example, instead of "there were described several key findings", you could say "the report detailed several key findings".