there were measures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were measures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or steps that were taken in response to a situation or problem. Example: "In light of the recent events, there were measures implemented to ensure safety and security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

From turning a tax designed to encourage renewable electricity into a tax on renewable electricity, to making a Porsche cost the same to tax as an electric car, everywhere you turned in George Osborne's speech there were measures that cast the Treasury back in its traditional role of green foe.

The Guardian - Opinion

4 26pm: Darling says there were measures for pensioners.

The Guardian

There were measures that could have been taken.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were measures aimed at the rich: a levy on investments and taxes on private boats, aircraft and luxury cars.

The Economist

While there were measures to help savers, she said: "We can't live on the amount we have – if we can't afford to live, we can't afford to save".

The Guardian - Money

"There were measures of planning and design, but it was largely improvisational and fluid — a sort of 'creative conversation' with the story's readership.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

At least in the pros there are measures enforcing accountability.

The New York Times - Sports

There are measures that capture some of this.

The Guardian - Business

There are measures to help prevent tension buildup.

The New York Times - Magazine

But doctors say there are measures to counter it.

The New York Times

There are measures producers can take to capitalise on word of mouth and early buzz.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were measures", ensure that the context clearly indicates what those measures were or what they aimed to achieve. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "there were measures" without specifying the nature of those measures. Replace it with specific details about the actions taken to provide more informative content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were measures" functions as an existential construction, asserting the existence of actions or steps taken in a particular situation. It is frequently used to introduce the idea that actions were implemented in response to a problem or event, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were measures" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that specific actions or steps were taken. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an existential construction, typically employed in neutral registers across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While effective, clarity is enhanced by specifying the exact nature of the measures, thereby avoiding vagueness. Alternatives such as "actions were taken" or "steps were implemented" can provide similar meaning. Considering its grammatical correctness and common usage, it stands as a reliable phrase for conveying action and response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actions were implemented

Emphasizes the implementation of actions rather than the existence of measures.

steps were taken

Focuses on the progression of steps completed.

actions were undertaken

Highlights the undertaking or initiation of actions.

strategies were employed

Highlights the use of planned strategies.

policies were enacted

Specifically refers to the enactment of formal policies.

procedures were established

Emphasizes the establishment of formal procedures.

plans were activated

Focuses on the activation or initiation of pre-existing plans.

systems were put in place

Highlights the installation of systems for a specific purpose.

solutions were adopted

Emphasizes the selection and adoption of solutions.

interventions were initiated

Refers to the start of specific interventions.

FAQs

How can I use "there were measures" in a sentence?

You can use "there were measures" to indicate that certain actions or steps were taken in response to a situation. For example, "After the incident, "there were measures" implemented to improve security".

What can I say instead of "there were measures"?

You can use alternatives such as "actions were taken", "steps were implemented", or "policies were enacted depending on the context.

Is it better to say "there were measures" or specify the measures?

Specifying the measures is generally better because it provides more clarity and detail for the reader. While ""there were measures"" is grammatically correct, it can be vague if the measures are not clearly defined.

What's the difference between "there were measures" and "measures were taken"?

While both phrases are similar, "measures were taken" emphasizes the action of taking the measures, whereas "there were measures" emphasizes the existence of those measures as a response. The choice depends on the intended focus.