there were generated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were generated" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a clear subject and can lead to awkward phrasing. Example: "In the experiment, there were generated several unexpected results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A team at the University of British Columbia analyzed newly discovered sapphire deposits in Canada's Nunavut territory and concluded the stones there were generated by a novel three-part geochemical "recipe" unlike any described for sapphire formation elsewhere in the world.

The New York Times - Science

The numbers of small RNA and mRNA reads there were generated at each stage are shown in Table  1.> -wrap-foot> The reads of small RNAs for six stages (embryo, L1, L2, L3, L4, and young adult) and mRNAs for four stages (L1, L2, L3, and L4) in the prg-1 mutant.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What percentage of energy there is generated by coal?

BBC

The serpentine aerofoil shape is designed to face into what little wind there is, generating a small amount of lift.

The Economist

Each dollar of spending there is generating $1.74 of activity.

Forbes

The system there is generating 118 kilowatts, he said.

Los Angeles Times

Electricity there is generated using domestic oil and gas supplies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About three-quarters of the electricity there is generated by nuclear plants, and there has been some lobbying against shale gas by the nuclear industry, but the fear goes much deeper.

The Economist

Spectroscopic analysis of the ion beam-modified MoS2 suggests that there are generated defects, which supply dangling bonds that improve carrier injection between the Ni metal contact and MoS2.

Duke University

In a similar vein to Weir's own work, the astronomical bodies and creatures we discover there are generated procedurally, according to a set of software rules and the music provides a tonal balance.

Vice

Obviously there were people that were generating content.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe sentences using active voice to avoid awkward phrasing. For instance, instead of saying "there were generated", consider saying "the experiment generated" or "scientists generated".

Common error

Avoid using "there were generated" when a more direct, active construction would be clearer and more concise. Replace it with constructions that highlight the actor or cause of the generation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were generated" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was brought into existence or produced. However, Ludwig AI suggests it's often used incorrectly and lacks a clear subject, leading to awkward phrasing. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while technically not incorrect, the phrase "there were generated" is often considered a weaker construction in modern English. Ludwig AI points out that it lacks a clear subject and can lead to awkward phrasing. The examples show its presence in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts, but a more active voice is usually preferred for clarity and directness. Consider alternatives such as "were produced" or restructuring the sentence to highlight the subject of the action for better writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were produced

This alternative is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same idea, focusing on the action of production.

were created

This alternative emphasizes the act of bringing something new into existence.

were formed

This implies a process of formation or assembly, often used for abstract concepts or structures.

emerged

This suggests a gradual appearance or development, rather than a deliberate act of creation.

arose

Similar to 'emerged', this implies a spontaneous beginning or occurrence.

were developed

Focuses on the process of gradual improvement and refinement.

were manufactured

Specifically refers to the production of physical goods on a large scale.

were synthesized

Implies the creation of something through chemical or biological processes.

were instituted

Suggests the establishment or introduction of rules, systems, or practices.

were instigated

This suggests something was initiated, often implying a hidden agent.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there were generated" for clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "were produced", "were created", or restructuring the sentence to highlight the subject that performed the action. For example, instead of "There were errors generated", try "The system generated errors".

What are some alternatives to "there were generated" in scientific writing?

In scientific contexts, you can use more precise terms like "were synthesized", "were formed", or specify the mechanism of generation. Depending on the context you can use more precise alternative such as "were synthesized", "were formed".

Is it grammatically incorrect to use "there were generated"?

Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase "there were generated" is not the most preferred construction in standard written English. While not strictly incorrect, it often leads to weaker sentence structure compared to active voice constructions. See here how to rephrase with "were produced".

When is it appropriate to use "there were generated"?

While generally discouraged, it might be acceptable when emphasizing the existence of something generated, although even in those cases, restructuring for active voice usually improves clarity. Always consider if using "were created" sounds better in the specific sentence.