were appreciated

USAGE SUMMARY

"were appreciated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has been appreciated for a particular action or task they have completed. For example: "The efforts of the volunteers were greatly appreciated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His visits there were appreciated.

The New York Times

Some of his observations were appreciated.

The New York Times

They were appreciated even by opposing fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Initially, at least, Vaux's oculi were appreciated.

The New Yorker

"Not all those poets were appreciated," Zasursky says.

The Guardian

Some, like the great Ken Barrington and John Edrich, were appreciated.

The Guardian - Sport

His cuts were appreciated by Bertelsmann, and six months later Olson was named chief administrative officer.

The New York Times - Magazine

Charles' optimism, good humor, generosity and deep sense of honor were appreciated by all.

The New York Times

His military achievements won him great popularity, nonetheless, and were appreciated by later historians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her quick whit, directness and generosity were appreciated by all who knew her.

The New York Times

None of those Subway Series were appreciated as much as this one, after a 44-year absence.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were appreciated", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is doing the appreciating to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "The volunteers' efforts were appreciated by the community".

Common error

Ensure clarity by explicitly stating who is doing the appreciating. Vague statements like "The help was appreciated" can leave the reader wondering who did the appreciating. Provide specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were appreciated" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that someone or something received gratitude, recognition, or positive evaluation. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were appreciated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction to express that something was valued or well-received. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in a wide range of contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. However, be mindful of explicitly stating who is doing the appreciating to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "were valued" or "were recognized" can be used for stylistic variation. The frequency analysis indicates it's common across science, news and media, and encyclopedic sources. This makes it a reliable and versatile phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were valued

Replaces "appreciated" with "valued", emphasizing the worth or importance attributed to something.

were recognized

Substitutes "appreciated" with "recognized", highlighting the acknowledgement or awareness of something's merit.

were well-received

Indicates a positive reaction or acceptance, differing slightly in focus from simple appreciation.

were esteemed

Emphasizes a high level of respect and admiration, adding a degree of formality compared to "appreciated".

were applauded

Focuses on public praise or approval, a more specific type of appreciation.

were gratefully acknowledged

Adds a layer of thankfulness and explicit recognition.

were favorably regarded

Indicates a positive opinion or assessment, differing slightly in tone.

were held in high regard

Expresses a strong sense of respect and importance.

garnered appreciation

Shifts the focus to the act of receiving appreciation rather than being appreciated.

met with approval

Similar to "were well-received", focusing on positive endorsement.

FAQs

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

Use "were appreciated" to indicate that something was valued or well-received. For example, "The team's dedication and hard work "were appreciated" by the management."

What's a formal alternative to "were appreciated"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "were highly valued" or "were esteemed" to convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when expressing appreciation?

While "were appreciated" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The community appreciated the volunteers' efforts") can often make your writing more direct and engaging.

Which is more appropriate, "were appreciated" or "are appreciated"?

Use "were appreciated" for past events or actions, and "are appreciated" for current or ongoing situations. For example, "The donations last year "were appreciated"" versus "Your support "is appreciated"".