were affected by

USAGE SUMMARY

"were affected by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when describing how someone or something was impacted by an external force, circumstance, or event. Example: The economy was greatly affected by the recent recession, causing many businesses to close down and people to lose their jobs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Many were affected by Sandy," he said.

The New York Times

Both routes were affected by the strike.

The New York Times

Both counties were affected by Florence.

The New York Times

Several stocks were affected by dividend developments.

The New York Times

In total, some 400,000 people were affected by blackouts.

The Guardian

Other European bourses were affected by the gloomy mood.

The Guardian - Business

More than 150,000 houses were affected by the flood.

The Guardian

A significant number were affected by the IT problem.

The Guardian - Business

Approximately how many individuals were affected by the blackout?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both retailers' sales figures were affected by store closures.

The Guardian - Business

All bacteria were affected by plasma treatment.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were affected by", ensure the context clearly specifies what or who caused the impact. Clarity avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where it's unclear what caused the effect. Always specify the agent or cause that "affected" the subject to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were affected by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject experienced an impact or influence from an external source. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were affected by" is a versatile phrase used to describe how entities experience impact or influence. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts like news, science, and general discourse. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount. Specifying the agent causing the effect enhances precision and prevents ambiguity. Alternatives like "were impacted by" or "were influenced by" offer subtle nuances in meaning, adding depth to your writing. The phrase's broad applicability and clear communicative function make it a valuable asset for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were impacted by

Replaces "affected" with "impacted", suggesting a strong influence but maintaining similar formality.

were influenced by

Substitutes "affected" with "influenced", implying a change in opinion or behavior.

were altered by

Uses "altered" instead of "affected", indicating a change in form or nature.

were changed by

Employs "changed" in place of "affected", pointing to a modification or transformation.

were touched by

Replaces "affected" with "touched", suggesting a more emotional or personal impact.

were shaped by

Uses "shaped" instead of "affected", indicating a formative influence.

were reached by

Replaces "affected" with "reached", indicating that something has been contacted or influenced.

were swayed by

Employs "swayed" in place of "affected", pointing to an influence that changes someone's opinion.

were subjected to

Substitutes "affected" with "subjected to", implying a more forceful or unavoidable influence.

were determined by

Replaces "affected" with "determined by", suggesting a causal or decisive influence.

FAQs

How can I use "were affected by" in a sentence?

Use "were affected by" to indicate that something or someone experienced an impact or influence. For example, "The community "were affected by" the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "were affected by"?

Alternatives include "were impacted by", "were influenced by", or "were changed by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "were affected by" or "were impacted by"?

Both "were affected by" and "were impacted by" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Impacted by" is often seen as more forceful, but the choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "were affected by" and "were influenced by"?

"Were affected by" generally indicates any kind of impact, while "were influenced by" suggests a change in opinion, behavior, or course of action as a result of something.