there were multiple

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "there were multiple" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate the presence of a large number of something or a variety of different things. For example, "There were multiple vendors selling artisanal crafts at the farmer's market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

In both of those long trials there were multiple defendants.

The New York Times

For several species there were multiple independent estimates of traits.

AoB PLANTS

In addition there were multiple independent spikes and sharp waves.

BMC Pediatrics

Among 1834 study participants there were multiple statistically significant relationships.

BioMed Research International

There were multiple factors.

The Economist

Suddenly there were multiple offers.

The New York Times

Coverage: There were multiple articles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

There were multiple chances for a comeback victory, which all ended with turnovers... or penalties.

Huffington Post

Soon, there were multiple offers above the asking price.

The New York Times

There were multiple reasons for landscape changes.

Pedosphere

There were multiple such rooms spread over four floors.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were multiple" to clearly indicate more than one instance or reason for something. Ensure the context supports the plural form of the subsequent noun.

Common error

Avoid using a singular noun after "there were multiple". For example, instead of "There were multiple reason", use "There were multiple reasons".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were multiple" functions as an existential quantifier, asserting the existence of more than one entity or reason. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were multiple" is a frequently used phrase in English to indicate the presence of several entities, reasons, or factors. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is particularly common in news and media, science, and academic writing, but also appropriate for many contexts thanks to its neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure correct noun agreement and consider alternatives like "there were several" or "there were numerous" depending on the desired nuance. Be aware of the importance of context and choose the phrase that best reflects the message you want to convey. The phrase should be followed by a plural noun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were numerous

Emphasizes a large quantity, similar to "multiple" but potentially implying a higher number.

there were several

Indicates more than two but fewer than many; a moderate quantity.

there were various

Highlights the diversity or variety of items or reasons.

there were many

A more general way to indicate a large quantity.

multiple instances existed

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing that something occurred more than once.

several instances were observed

Similar to "there were several", but more formal and often used in scientific or technical contexts.

there existed a multitude of

Implies a very large number, more emphatic than "multiple".

a number of

A more concise way to indicate the presence of several items or reasons.

numerous examples could be found

Indicates a large amount of evidence, often used when presenting supporting data.

various factors contributed

Focuses on the different influences or elements that played a role.

FAQs

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

Use "there were multiple" to indicate the presence of several items or reasons. For example, "There were multiple reasons why the project failed" or "There were multiple candidates for the job".

What are some alternatives to "there were multiple"?

You can use alternatives like "there were numerous", "there were several", or "there were various" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "there was multiple"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrase is "there were multiple", as "were" is the plural form of "was" and should be used with "multiple" which indicates more than one.

What's the difference between "there were multiple" and "there were many"?

While both indicate a quantity greater than one, "there were multiple" often suggests a more specific or countable number, while "there were many" implies a larger, potentially uncountable quantity.