were accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

"were accepted" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to something that was accepted, for example: "Her application and resume were accepted by the university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Both proposals were accepted.

The Guardian

Resignations were accepted.

The New York Times

No excuses were accepted.

The New York Times

And so both were accepted.

The Economist

This year, three were accepted.

The New Yorker

All three bids were accepted.

The New York Times

All of them were accepted.

The New York Times - Arts

Two were accepted, and sold.

The New York Times - Arts

All 305 pleas were accepted.

The New York Times

Neither of those offers were accepted.

The New York Times

And they were accepted for their skill.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were accepted" to indicate that something has met the necessary criteria or standards for approval or inclusion. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was accepted" when referring to multiple items or subjects. "Was accepted" is singular; use "were accepted" for plural subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were accepted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subjects (nouns or noun phrases) received acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, with examples demonstrating its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were accepted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, indicating approval or admission. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears commonly in News & Media and Science contexts and maintains a neutral to formal tone. When using "were accepted", ensure subject-verb agreement and consider alternatives like "had been approved" or "were granted" for nuanced meaning. Avoid using "was accepted" with plural subjects to prevent grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been approved

Emphasizes the approval process, suggesting a formal or official acceptance.

were granted

Suggests permission or privilege being officially given.

were admitted

Focuses on the act of being allowed entry or inclusion into a group or place.

were received

Highlights the act of receiving something favorably, implying acceptance.

were validated

Implies that something was confirmed as true or accurate, leading to acceptance.

were ratified

Refers to formal confirmation, usually by vote.

were endorsed

Suggests public support or approval.

were embraced

Implies enthusiastic acceptance and adoption.

were taken up

Suggests adoption or initiation of something new.

were sanctioned

Implies an official approval with penalties for non compliance.

FAQs

How do I use "were accepted" in a sentence?

Use "were accepted" when referring to multiple subjects that have been approved or admitted. For example, "The applications "were accepted" by the committee."

What's the difference between "were accepted" and "was accepted"?

"Were accepted" is used for plural subjects, while "was accepted" is for singular subjects. For example, "The proposals "were accepted"," but "The proposal "was accepted"."

What can I say instead of "were accepted"?

You can use alternatives like "had been approved", "were granted", or "were admitted" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were accepted by"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Were accepted by" indicates who or what did the accepting. For example, "The terms "were accepted" by the board of directors."