there were more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were more" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a greater quantity or number of something exists beyond what has already been mentioned. Example: "At the event, there were more attendees than we had anticipated, which made it a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were more cheers.

The New Yorker

There were more tests.

Independent

There were more delays.

The New Yorker

Yes, there were more.

The New York Times - Food

There were more explosions.

The New York Times

There were more demonstrations.

The New Yorker

There were more.

The New Yorker

There were more disappointments.

The New York Times - Arts

There were more changes inside.

The New York Times

There were more important issues.

The New York Times

There were more serious responses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were more", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being added or increased. Provide specific details to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were more" with singular nouns. This phrase is designed for plural nouns or uncountable nouns implying quantity. For example, instead of saying "There were more problem", say "There was more trouble" or "There were more problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were more" primarily functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the existence of a greater quantity or number of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. The numerous examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to introduce additional elements or amounts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were more" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate an increased quantity in past contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and utilized. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase serves the purpose of adding information and is adaptable to both formal and informal communication. When using "there were more", clarity is key—ensure the context distinctly specifies what is being augmented. Avoid pairing it with singular nouns. The phrase is useful in describing situations where something has increased or is more numerous than previously stated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more existed

A more concise and direct way of saying "there were more".

there happened to be more

Adds "happened to be" for a slightly less direct and more coincidental tone.

further examples occurred

Uses "further" to indicate addition and "occurred" instead of "were", making it slightly more descriptive.

additional instances existed

Replaces "there were" with a more formal phrase and uses "instances" to refer to the things being counted.

additional ones appeared

Uses "appeared" to imply a sense of emergence or becoming visible.

the number increased

Focuses on the numerical increase rather than the existence of more items.

still more could be found

Emphasizes the continuing availability of more items.

an increase was observed

A more formal and statistical way of indicating that the number of something went up.

more could be detected

Emphasizes the existence of additional items through discovery.

there was a surplus

Suggests an excess or overabundance beyond what was expected.

FAQs

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

Use "there were more" to indicate a quantity or number beyond what has already been mentioned. For example: "Initially, there were five options, but "there were more" after the revision."

What are some alternatives to "there were more"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "additional instances existed", "further examples occurred", or "more existed".

Is it correct to say "there was more" instead of "there were more"?

"There was more" is correct when referring to a singular or uncountable noun, while ""there were more"" is used for plural nouns. For example, "There was more water" vs. "There were more cups."

What's the difference between "there were more" and "there are more"?

"There were more" refers to a past situation, while "there are more" refers to a present situation. For instance, "There were more students last year", but "There are more students this year".