were amended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were amended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to changes or modifications that have been made to a document, law, or agreement in the past. Example: "The regulations were amended to include new safety standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Replicate windrows and biopiles were amended with either nutrients and inocula, nutrients alone or no amendment.

Environmental Pollution

In any case, no laws were amended.

The New York Times

All four stories were amended and footnoted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both were amended to do that.

The New York Times

The regulations were amended substantially in the fall of 1972.

Cornell University

The rules were clear, but they were amended.

The Guardian - Sport

…reelection as mayor if the term-limit law were amended.

Britannica

Last year, the government's Independent School Standards were amended.

The Guardian - Opinion

This article and standfirst were amended on 13 October 2016.

The Guardian

This article and its headline were amended on 20 September.

The Guardian

These terms and conditions were amended on 3 July 2018.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were amended", ensure the context clearly indicates what was changed and, if relevant, why. Providing specific details about the amendments enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were amended" without specifying what the amendments entailed. Saying "the rules were amended" is less informative than "the rules were amended to include stricter safety regulations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were amended" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject (e.g., rules, laws, articles) has undergone a process of modification or alteration. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were amended" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate that changes have been made to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to specify what was amended and why, avoiding vague references. Alternatives like "were modified" or "were revised" can be used, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember, "were" is for plural subjects; use "was" for singular subjects. Use "were amended" to inform about modifications made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were modified

Replaces "amended" with "modified", suggesting a change that alters the form or qualities, but not necessarily improving it. The similarity score is very high as it is often interchangeable.

were revised

Substitutes "amended" with "revised", implying a more thorough examination and alteration, often to correct errors or improve clarity. This maintains a similar level of formality.

were altered

Uses "altered" instead of "amended", indicating a change that could be significant, and the original form is no longer recognizable. Similarity score is still high.

were changed

Replaces "amended" with "changed", a more general term for modification. Similarity is slightly lower due to the generality of "changed".

were adjusted

Uses "adjusted" instead of "amended", suggesting a slight alteration to achieve a better fit or result. The connotation implies precision.

were updated

Replaces "amended" with "updated", suggesting that changes reflect the most current information or standards. This is often used in technical contexts.

were reformed

Substitutes "amended" with "reformed", implying a change intended to improve or correct faults. This term often carries a stronger connotation of improvement.

were reworked

Replaces "amended" with "reworked", implying substantial changes or improvements through significant effort. Similarity is lower due to the implication of more extensive labor.

were rectified

Uses "rectified" instead of "amended", indicating that something was corrected, fixed or put right, generally after an error or a mistake was found.

were improved

Replaces "amended" with "improved", focusing solely on the positive outcome of the change, emphasizing the enhancement. Similarity is lower due to this focus.

FAQs

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

Use "were amended" to indicate that changes have been made to something. For instance, "The guidelines "were amended" following the review" or "The law "were amended" to reflect current needs".

What are some alternatives to "were amended"?

Alternatives include "were modified", "were revised", or "were altered". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

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

No, "was amended" is used for singular subjects, while "were amended" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The policy was amended", but "The policies "were amended"".

What's the difference between "were amended" and "were repealed"?

"Were amended" means changes were made, while "were repealed" means they were officially revoked or cancelled. Amending something modifies it, while repealing removes it entirely.