were added

USAGE SUMMARY

"were added" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has been added to something else. For example: "Several new items were added to the menu."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

larvae were added.

Columbia University

No women were added.

The New York Times

Second shows were added.

The New York Times - Magazine

Two others were added.

The New York Times - Sports

Soon patterns were added.

The New York Times

And absurd assumptions were added.

The Economist

More were added this year.

Independent

Volleyball and judo were added.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Patients' names were added later.

The New York Times - Health

They were added in 1921.

The New Yorker

Horse races were added later.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the passive voice with "were added", ensure the subject receiving the addition is clear to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "were added" is grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider using the active voice for a more direct and engaging style, where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were added" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that something has been supplemented or included. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard way to express addition without specifying the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were added" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive construction commonly employed across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves the purpose of indicating supplementation or inclusion, and its neutral register renders it suitable for formal and informal writing. When using "were added", ensure clarity regarding the subject receiving the addition and consider whether the active voice might provide a more direct alternative. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively integrate "were added" into your writing while avoiding potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were included

Focuses on the inclusion aspect rather than the act of adding.

were incorporated

Suggests a more integrated or blended addition.

were appended

Implies adding something at the end or as a supplement.

were attached

Indicates a physical or close connection upon addition.

were supplemented

Highlights that the addition enhances or completes something.

were introduced

Suggests a formal or initial placement into a system or group.

were layered

Implies addition in successive levels or strata.

were combined

Emphasizes the merging or uniting of elements through addition.

were integrated

Focuses on the elements being assimilated into a whole.

were merged

Highlights the blending or fusion of elements upon addition.

FAQs

How is "were added" used in a sentence?

"Were added" indicates that something has been included or supplemented. For example, "New features "were added" to the software update".

What are some alternatives to "were added"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were included", "were incorporated", or "were appended".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing additions?

While the passive voice with "were added" is acceptable, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. Compare "New features were added" (passive) with "The developers added new features" (active).

What's the difference between "were added" and "were included"?

"Were added" generally refers to supplementing or increasing something, while "were included" simply means something was part of a set. The subtle difference relies on the intention and context.