there were given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were given" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a clear subject and is not a complete construction. Example: "There were given several options for the project, but we chose the best one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Wired Radio customers there were given a boxy receiver, which looked a little like a gramophone, and the programming fee was added to their monthly electric bill.

The New Yorker

He called the traffic and parking situation around the academy "typical of any school in Riverdale, during pickup and drop-off times" and said that enforcement issues there were "given the same attention as at any other schools".

The New York Times

The people there were given the task of taking over power in the municipality and were broadly divided into five groups.

Wikipedia

Over a six-month period, students there were given 18 lessons intended to help them reduce the time they spent watching TV and playing video games.

The New York Times - Health

The Los Alamos National Laboratory discharged two investigators this week after their reports on theft and fraud there were given anonymously to a watchdog group, the two men and laboratory officials said on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Those sent there were given the impression that it would be some kind of autonomous paradise; some even paid to go when the Nazis marketed it as a Jewish retirement community.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Some trainers there were giving horses large overdoses of painkillers, often without fear of penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

The time between here and there is given axonal conduction delay should be about 1 millisecond.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Let there be given the initial condition (x_{0}=(4 2 3)^{T}).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Let there be given a subset (Ksubset X) and a point (bar{x}in K).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Lat there be given a general bounded measurable function (f(x)), (xin J=[a,b]).

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Whenever possible, rephrase sentences using active voice to improve clarity and conciseness. For example, instead of saying "There were given several options", consider "The team provided several options."

Common error

Using "there were given" can lead to unclear sentence structure. Ensure your subject is clearly defined to avoid confusion. Instead of "There were given instructions", specify "The instructor gave instructions" or "Instructions were given to the students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were given" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was provided or presented to someone or something. It often introduces the recipient of an action without explicitly stating the actor. Ludwig notes that this construction isn't preferred in standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "there were given" is relatively common, its grammatical correctness is disputed. Ludwig highlights that standard English prefers more direct constructions with a clear subject. It functions as a passive voice construction, used to convey the provision of something. While it appears across different contexts, its presence is stronger in news and academic sources. It is advisable to use alternative phrases like "were provided" or rewrite sentences in active voice to improve clarity and conciseness. According to Ludwig, using "there were given" is not considered standard written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were provided

Replaces "given" with a direct synonym, maintaining the passive voice and similar meaning.

were presented

Focuses on the act of presenting, offering a slightly more formal tone while conveying a similar meaning.

were offered

Emphasizes the opportunity or choice aspect of the giving, suitable when options are available.

received

Shifts the focus to the recipient, highlighting what was obtained rather than the act of giving.

were allocated

Implies a specific distribution or assignment, useful when resources or items are being designated.

were assigned

Similar to allocated, but emphasizes a formal assignment or task delegation.

were furnished

Suggests a provision of necessary items or equipment, often in a context of supplying accommodations.

were supplied

Highlights the act of providing necessary resources or materials, fitting contexts where needs are met.

were granted

Emphasizes permission or authorization being given, suitable for contexts involving approvals or entitlements.

had been given

Adds a sense of prior action or completion, useful when emphasizing that something was given in the past.

FAQs

How can I rewrite a sentence that uses "there were given" to sound more direct?

You can often improve clarity by specifying who gave something. For example, instead of "There were given instructions", try "The teacher gave instructions" or "Instructions were provided".

What are some alternatives to "there were given" that avoid passive voice?

Consider using alternatives like "were provided", "were offered", or "were presented", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically incorrect to use "there were given" in a sentence?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "there were given" is not considered standard written English. While common, it often lacks a clear subject and is better replaced with more direct constructions. / See the Ludwig AI analysis to determine if it fits your use case or if you should use a different construction.

How does the meaning change when I use "were provided" instead of "there were given"?

The meaning remains largely the same, but using "were provided" often results in a more concise and grammatically sound sentence, removing the ambiguity sometimes associated with the "there were" construction.