were appropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were appropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was suitable or fitting in a particular context or situation. Example: "The suggestions provided by the committee were appropriate for the project's goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

— were appropriate.

The New York Times - Sports

"The president's remarks were appropriate".

The Guardian

Olympus has said its payments were "appropriate".

The New York Times

"Many people didn't think they were appropriate".

The New York Times

Who said thongs were appropriate for 13-year-olds?

The New York Times

If I thought that were appropriate, I certainly would".

The New York Times

The outcome confirms the referrals were appropriate," he said.

The Guardian

In an interview, Abramowitz said that the donations were appropriate.

The New Yorker

But all the adjectives we used were appropriate".

Independent

At the time, F.B.I. officials said those operations were appropriate.

The New York Times

They'll pay the rent, but we didn't think they were appropriate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were appropriate", ensure the context clearly indicates the standard or criteria against which something is being judged as suitable. For example, "The measures taken were appropriate given the severity of the situation."

Common error

Avoid using "were appropriate" in situations where the criteria for appropriateness is not clear to the reader. Instead of saying "The actions were appropriate", specify why they were suitable, such as "The actions were appropriate because they aligned with the company's ethical guidelines."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were appropriate" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or pronoun by indicating its suitability or correctness in a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were appropriate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the suitability or correctness of something in a given context. Ludwig confirms its validity and wide applicability. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, followed by Science, and maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the criteria for appropriateness is clear to your audience. Alternatives include "were suitable", "were fitting", and "were proper", each with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were suitable

Replaces "appropriate" with a direct synonym, emphasizing fitness for a specific purpose.

were fitting

Similar to "suitable", but may imply a more natural or harmonious match.

were proper

Suggests adherence to established rules or standards of conduct.

were fitting the occasion

Specifies the context of suitability, implying the actions aligned well with the circumstances.

were in order

Indicates that something was correct or permissible according to rules or expectations.

were befitting

Implies actions or qualities suited to someone's status or character.

were acceptable

Suggests a lower standard than "appropriate", implying something was satisfactory but not necessarily ideal.

were justified

Indicates that there was a valid reason or excuse for the actions.

were admissible

Suggests something was allowed or permitted, often in a formal or legal context.

were applicable

Indicates the relevance or suitability of something to a particular situation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were appropriate" is used to describe something that was suitable or fitting for a particular situation. For example, "The safety measures "were appropriate" given the hazardous conditions."

What can I say instead of "were appropriate"?

You can use alternatives such as "were suitable", "were fitting", or "were proper" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "were appropriate" or "was appropriate"?

"Were appropriate" is used with plural nouns or when referring to something in the past subjunctive mood. "Was appropriate" is used with singular nouns. For example: "The suggestions were appropriate" vs "The suggestion was appropriate."

What's the difference between "were appropriate" and "were adequate"?

"Were appropriate" suggests that something was particularly well-suited or fitting, while "were adequate" implies that something was just good enough to meet the requirements. "Appropriate" implies a higher standard of suitability than "adequate".