were accompanied by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were accompanied by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone was present together with another thing or person during an event or situation. Example: "The presentation was impressive, and it were accompanied by a detailed report that highlighted the key findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were accompanied by supporters.

The New York Times

These harsh words were accompanied by actions.

The New Yorker

They were accompanied by terrifically crisp fries.

The New York Times - Travel

Shame!" that were accompanied by wagging fingers.

The New York Times

Married men were accompanied by their wives.

The Guardian - Business

Some were accompanied by their adopted children.

The New York Times

Many of the storms were accompanied by heavy snowfalls.

The Guardian - Travel

They were accompanied by their lawyers and correction officers.

The New York Times

Nearly half — 2,576 — were accompanied by secrecy orders.

The New York Times - Tech

We were accompanied by Jambo, the Ranges' black Labrador retriever.

The New York Times - Sports

Some burials were accompanied by pottery and ivory ornaments.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were accompanied by" to clearly indicate that one element was present with another, adding context and detail to your sentence. For instance, "The speaker was accompanied by a detailed slideshow that reinforced their points."

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction "were accompanied by" with an active construction where it's not appropriate, as this can shift the focus of the sentence and obscure the primary subject. For example, avoid changing "The documents were accompanied by a cover letter" to "A cover letter accompanied the documents" if your main point is about the documents themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were accompanied by" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received or experienced the action of being accompanied. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "They were accompanied by their lawyers."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were accompanied by" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something or someone was present together with another. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is common across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It’s essential to use "were accompanied by" with plural subjects and to differentiate its meaning from phrases like "were followed by", which implies a sequence rather than simultaneous presence. Understanding these nuances will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were together with

A more straightforward way of expressing the presence of two or more things.

were escorted by

Focuses more on guidance or protection during the association.

were attended by

Emphasizes presence at an event or being cared for.

were joined by

Highlights the act of coming together or being added to a group.

were combined with

Indicates a merging or blending of elements.

were in the company of

Focuses on the social aspect of being with someone or something.

were supplemented by

Suggests that something was added to enhance or complete the original.

were coupled with

Implies a close connection or association between two things.

were found with

Indicates the discovery of something alongside another item.

were associated with

Suggests a correlation or connection without necessarily being physically together.

FAQs

How to use "were accompanied by" in a sentence?

Use "were accompanied by" to indicate that something or someone was present together with another thing or person. For example, "The presentation "were accompanied by" a detailed report."

What can I say instead of "were accompanied by"?

You can use alternatives like "were escorted by", "were attended by", or "were joined by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were accompanied by" or "was accompanied by"?

"Were accompanied by" is used with plural subjects, while "was accompanied by" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The documents were accompanied by a letter" versus "The report was accompanied by a letter."

What's the difference between "were accompanied by" and "were followed by"?

"Were accompanied by" indicates simultaneous presence, while "were followed by" indicates a sequence. For example, "The speaker was accompanied by a translator" (present together) versus "The speech was followed by a Q&A session" (happened afterward).