were affixed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were affixed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has been attached or secured to another object or surface. Example: "The labels were affixed to the boxes to ensure proper identification during shipping."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blue police ribbons tied in rosettes were affixed to the outside of the funeral home.

The Guardian

Beginning in 1990, hundreds were affixed to Trident missiles and deployed on submarines.

The New York Times

So they were affixed to the walls of the new restaurant and burnished to look like frescoes.

The New York Times

Pristine new mirrors were affixed to the wall, but no one had come in for a haircut.

The New York Times

Menus were affixed to painters' palettes, foreshadowing the presentation of the food, each plate a canvas of pastel daubs and swipes.

The New Yorker

Moreover, the marbles long ago lost their pigments and the pieces of metal that were affixed to depict weapons and horses' trappings.

The New York Times

Ten-foot-high vinyl banners were affixed to the façade on either side of the entrance to Omni Jewel and Java.

The New Yorker

Dozens of people, many wearing buttons saying "Save the Rose," attended, and signs protesting the Rose's closing were affixed to its front windows.

The New York Times - Arts

The most offbeat attention-getter was pieces of cardboard, resembling "Do not disturb" signs, that were affixed to shower heads in the bathrooms.

The New York Times

When Kasich appeared at an event in Greenville, South Carolina, on Saturday, flyers were affixed to nearby vehicles warning: "John Kasich Pushing Obama's Agenda".

The Guardian

Shortly after, the words "Metropolitan Exchange Bank" were affixed to the concrete facade during a film shoot for "Definitely, Maybe," a romantic comedy starring Ryan Reynolds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were affixed to" when you want to emphasize a formal or technical tone, particularly in scientific or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "were affixed to" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "were attached to" or "were connected to" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were affixed to" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that something has been attached or joined to something else. It describes a state resulting from a previous action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were affixed to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction indicating that something has been attached or joined to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across a range of contexts, particularly in scientific and formal writing. While "were affixed to" carries a formal tone, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "were attached to" in less formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were attached to

Uses a more common synonym for "affixed".

were adhered to

Similar to "affixed" but may imply a less mechanical method.

were secured to

Emphasizes the firmness of the attachment.

were fastened to

Highlights the method of attachment involving fasteners.

were joined to

Indicates a connection or union between two things.

were connected to

Focuses on establishing a link or relationship.

were mounted on

Describes a specific type of attachment, often involving a support.

were bonded to

Suggests a strong and lasting adhesion.

were appended to

Suggests adding something as a supplement or attachment.

were linked to

Implies a connection, not necessarily a physical one.

FAQs

What does "were affixed to" mean?

The phrase "were affixed to" means that something was attached or fastened to something else, usually in a secure and relatively permanent way. It implies a deliberate act of joining two items together.

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

You can use alternatives like "were attached to", "were secured to", or "were fastened to" depending on the context.

Is "were affixed to" formal or informal?

The phrase "were affixed to" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "were attached to". It is often used in technical, scientific, or official writing.

How to use "were affixed to" in a sentence?

You can use "were affixed to" in a sentence like this: "The sensors were attached to the device to monitor its performance."