were allocated

USAGE SUMMARY

"were allocated" is a correctly used verb phrase in written English.
It is used when referring to assignments, responsibilities or items given to one person or group. Example: The funds were allocated to each department according to their needs.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were allocated housing by Nauru and Australian governments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Funds were allocated by Washington for relief & rehabilitation.

The New Yorker

The fees were allocated in arbitration by Nicholas deB.

The New York Times

In the early years, some countries were allocated fewer spaces.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maksutova and Buznik were allocated the equities desk's Russian clients.

The New Yorker

Another email shows that the new tickets were allocated accordingly.

The Guardian - Sport

Studies were allocated into three groups.

Thrombosis Research

Participants were allocated into 17 dyads.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Participants were allocated in three groups.

Gynecological Surgery

Subjects were allocated in 1 1 ratio.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Eleven centres were allocated to intervention group, and 13 centres were allocated to standard care.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were allocated", ensure the context clearly specifies what was allocated and to whom or what it was allocated. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clear communication.

Common error

A common mistake is using a singular verb form (was) with a plural subject. Ensure the subject is plural when using "were allocated" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were allocated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something was distributed or assigned. Ludwig shows numerous examples where resources, funds, or responsibilities are assigned in this manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were allocated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that conveys the distribution or assignment of resources or responsibilities. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various domains, including science, news, and formal writing. To ensure clarity, always specify what was allocated and to whom. Remember to maintain subject-verb agreement to avoid common grammatical errors. Consider alternatives like "were assigned" or "were designated" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were assigned

This alternative implies a more specific assignment of tasks or responsibilities.

were designated

This alternative suggests a formal or official designation for a particular purpose.

were granted

This alternative indicates that something was officially given or allowed.

were apportioned

This alternative emphasizes the distribution of something according to a specific plan or ratio.

were distributed

This alternative highlights the act of spreading something out among different recipients.

were earmarked

This alternative suggests that funds or resources were specifically reserved for a particular purpose.

were provided

This alternative focuses on the act of supplying or making something available.

were distributed among

This emphasizes the distribution aspect, clarifying that allocation happened across multiple receivers.

were dispensed

This implies a careful or controlled distribution of something.

were divided

This alternative focuses on the act of separating something into distinct parts.

FAQs

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

You can use "were allocated" to describe how resources, tasks, or responsibilities have been assigned. For example, "The funds were allocated to different departments." or "The roles were allocated among the team members".

What's a good alternative to "were allocated"?

Alternatives include "were assigned", "were designated", or "were distributed depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

What does it mean when something is "allocated"?

When something is "allocated", it means it has been officially assigned or designated for a specific purpose or to a specific person or group. It implies a decision-making process that determines how resources or responsibilities are distributed.

Is it correct to say "was allocated" instead of "were allocated"?

No, "was allocated" should be used with singular subjects. Use "were allocated" with plural subjects. For example, "The task was allocated to John", but "The tasks were allocated to John and Mary".