were adopted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were adopted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was accepted or taken on by a group or individual in the past. Example: "The new policies were adopted by the board during the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All were adopted.

The New York Times

You were adopted.

The Guardian

"They were adopted very quickly".

The New York Times

The Democratic changes were adopted.

The New York Times

"His two children were adopted".

The New York Times

They survived and were adopted.

The Guardian - Arts

The expanded provisions were adopted.

The New York Times

Similar programs were adopted in other countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

None of the options were adopted precisely.

The New York Times

Similar policies were adopted in other areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many of their ideas were adopted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were adopted" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the adopting and what was adopted. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly defined to prevent confusion about who or what is doing the adopting. Vague subjects can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were adopted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received the action of being adopted. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts, from policies being adopted to children being adopted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were adopted" is a grammatically sound passive construction commonly used to indicate formal acceptance or implementation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied fields like news, science, and business. While its register is generally neutral to professional, ensure clarity by specifying who or what performed the adopting. The phrase's versatility and commonality make it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were implemented

Focuses on the action of putting something into effect or practice rather than acceptance.

were approved

Highlights the formal agreement or authorization of something.

were embraced

Emphasizes the enthusiastic acceptance or support of something.

were selected

Focuses on the choice or picking of something from a larger group.

were chosen

Indicates a preference or decision made among multiple options.

were enacted

Describes the process of making something a law or regulation.

were ratified

Refers to the formal confirmation or validation of an agreement or treaty.

were sanctioned

Implies official permission or approval, often with a sense of authority.

were instituted

Focuses on the establishment or beginning of something, like a rule or system.

were taken on

Emphasizes assuming responsibility or adopting a role or task.

FAQs

How can I use "were adopted" in a sentence?

The phrase "were adopted" indicates that something has been accepted or implemented. For example, "The new policies were adopted by the committee", or "The puppies were adopted from the shelter".

What are some alternatives to "were adopted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were implemented", "were approved", or "were embraced".

Is there a difference between "were adopted" and "were adapted"?

"Were adopted" means something was formally accepted or taken on, while "were adapted" means something was modified to suit a new purpose or condition. They are not interchangeable.

What does it mean when a child "was adopted"?

When a child "was adopted", it means they were legally taken into a new family, who become their legal parents. The new parents assume all parental rights and responsibilities.