there were exams

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were exams" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the existence of exams in a particular context, such as in a school or testing environment. Example: "During the last week of school, there were exams in every subject, which made it a very stressful time for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There were exams to think about, a social life to ponder, the grim prospects of life in Turkey's latest economic crisis.

The New York Times

The second time, they were there with us, and it was harder because there were exams.

Global health, science and practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then there are exams.

The Guardian - Money

First, though, there are exams, university rejections, and life decisions to be made for Rae Earl Sharon Rooneyy) and her gang of misfits, as bent on self-sabotage as ever but (surely?) destined for a happy ending.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There are exams at school throughout the training period and an extensive final exam at the end of the apprenticeship.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

There are exams for both U.S. History and World History available for potential teachers in all 50 states.

WikiHow

While it will take some time to get this organization fully staffed, there are exam teams already up and running.

Forbes

The rates of cheating are very low since there are exam room heads and supervisors in exam rooms … it is not a serious problem currently due to face-to-face and supervised administration of exams.(A_distance_T1).

International Journal for Educational Integrity

Mr Gove told the BBC that English exam regulator Ofqual was worried that there would be exams called GCSEs in Wales which would be structured differently from GCSEs in England.

BBC

There were no exams.

The New Yorker

"There were no exams, it was a joke, hardly any term-time.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were exams" to clearly indicate the presence of examinations, especially when emphasizing their impact or context within a specific time or situation.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "there were exams" can sound less professional in formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "examinations were administered" or "assessments took place" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were exams" functions as an existential clause, asserting the existence of exams. As noted by Ludwig AI, this expression is grammatically correct and demonstrates usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were exams" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the presence of examinations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted for more formal contexts using alternatives like "examinations were administered". Its frequency across news, scientific, and general sources highlights its versatility. Remember to consider the specific context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exams took place

This alternative offers a more concise and direct way of stating that examinations occurred.

exams were held

A straightforward synonym, replacing "took place" with "were held".

exams were given

This alternative emphasizes the act of providing the exams to students.

tests were conducted

Replaces "exams" with "tests", providing a slightly less formal alternative.

examinations occurred

A formal substitution of "exams" with "examinations".

examinations were administered

This is a more formal way of saying that exams happened, often used in official contexts.

tests were administered

A more formal replacement for "tests were conducted".

exams were scheduled

Focuses on the planning aspect of the exams rather than their mere existence.

a series of exams occurred

This version highlights that more than one exam happened.

assessment was conducted

This alternative uses a broader term (assessment) instead of specifically mentioning exams.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there were exams" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "examinations were administered", "assessments were conducted", or "formal evaluations occurred".

Is "there were exams" grammatically correct?

Yes, "there were exams" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a "there were" construction to indicate the existence of something.

What's a simple alternative to "there were exams"?

A simple alternative to "there were exams" is "exams took place" or "exams were held".

How does the context affect the best way to say "there were exams"?

The context determines the best phrasing. In formal reports, "examinations were administered" might be suitable. In casual conversation, "tests were given" could be more appropriate. For emphasis on planning, "exams were scheduled" fits better.