were adhered to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were adhered to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that certain rules, guidelines, or standards were followed or complied with in a particular context. Example: "The safety protocols were adhered to during the entire duration of the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fundamentals of the PBL approach were adhered to.

Journal of Accounting Education

Cardboard boxes were "adhered to shelves and had to be peeled off".

The New Yorker

Ethical principles and measures of trustworthiness were adhered to throughout the research study.

Health SA Gesondheid

"World Bank involvement," the statement said, "would have ensured that high social and environmental standards were adhered to".

The New York Times

Ōkubo's views prevailed and were adhered to until 1894, long after his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

100,000 EB cells were adhered to poly-l-Lysine-pre-coated coverslips (20 min, 37 °C).

Nature

Ethical considerations were adhered to and respondents gave written informed consent.

Health SA Gesondheid

In the French classical tragedy, the unities were adhered to literally and became the source of endless critical polemics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of my best mates from school is pretty strict so he was ensuring that they were adhered to.

Independent

The authorities also kept an eye on the pewterers and their products to make sure that regulations were adhered to.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both models were adhered to silicone membranes precoated with collagen I, fibronectin, or Cell-Tak and assayed for adhesion characteristics.

Biomaterials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were adhered to", ensure the subject clearly identifies what rules, guidelines, or standards are being followed. For example, "The ethical guidelines were adhered to throughout the study."

Common error

Avoid using "were adhered to" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The rules were adhered to by the team", a better formulation would be "The team adhered to the rules".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were adhered to" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a specific set of rules, guidelines, or principles has been followed. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were adhered to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase indicating that specific rules, guidelines, or standards have been followed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal contexts such as academic, scientific, and professional writing. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, alternative phrases like "were complied with" or "were followed" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity regarding which rules are being followed and avoid using the passive voice when the active voice would be more direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were complied with

This alternative emphasizes the act of conforming to a specific requirement or set of rules.

were followed

This suggests a simple act of going after or observing something.

were observed

Implies a careful watching and subsequent adherence to a rule or standard.

were obeyed

Suggests adherence due to authority or command.

were honored

Implies a high degree of respect and commitment in following guidelines or principles.

were upheld

This indicates that rules were maintained and supported.

were respected

Highlights the consideration and value given to the established norms or regulations.

were heeded

Indicates careful attention and obedience to advice or a warning.

were minded

Implies that something was taken into consideration and acted upon accordingly.

were kept

This is a simpler way to say that rules or promises were maintained and not broken.

FAQs

How can I use "were adhered to" in a sentence?

You can use "were adhered to" to indicate that rules, guidelines, or standards were followed. For example, "All safety regulations "were adhered to" during the construction project."

What can I say instead of "were adhered to"?

Alternatives include "were complied with", "were followed", or "were observed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were adhered to" or "was adhered to"?

"Were adhered to" is used with plural subjects, while "was adhered to" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The guidelines were adhered to" versus "The principle was adhered to."

Is "were adhered to" formal or informal?

"Were adhered to" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for academic, professional, or official contexts.