were as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were as" is not correct in standard written English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It may be intended to compare two things, but it lacks proper context or structure to be usable. Example: "The results were as expected, but the process was not."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None were as winded either.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dogs were as large as trucks.

The New Yorker

The dunes were as high as houses.

The New Yorker

"We were as concerned as anybody.

The New York Times - Tech

Tactics were as important as strategy.

The New York Times

Reactions were as mixed as the vote.

The New York Times - Health

Sexually transmitted diseases were as widespread.

The Economist

The darker stories were as notorious.

The New Yorker

Her spirals were as pretty as ever.

The New York Times - Sports

They were as dumbfounded as I was.

The New York Times

The Republicans were as optimistic as ever.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were as", always ensure it's followed by the "as" conjunction to create a complete comparative structure. For example, "They were as happy as could be" is a proper comparative sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "were as" without completing the comparison. Saying "They were as..." leaves the reader hanging. Always finish the thought with "as" and a comparable element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were as" functions as part of a comparative construction, most often seen as part of the structure "were as...as". However, as Ludwig AI points out, using "were as" without completing the comparison is grammatically incomplete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Unknown/unmatched sources

7%

EU Parlament

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were as" often appears as part of a comparative structure, "were as...as". As Ludwig AI highlights, it's crucial to complete the comparison to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. Common errors include using "were as" without finishing the thought, leading to incomplete and confusing sentences. Correct alternatives, depending on the context, include phrases like "were just as", "were equally", or "were similar to". While the phrase is frequently used across various contexts, remember to use it within a complete comparative structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were just as

This alternative emphasizes equality to a greater extent, using "just" as an intensifier.

were equally

This alternative directly indicates equality in a specific aspect or quality.

were similar to

This suggests a likeness without necessarily implying exact equivalence.

were akin to

This expresses a closer degree of similarity, often used in more formal contexts.

were comparable to

This highlights the ability to draw comparisons between two or more things.

were on par with

This suggests they met the same standard or level.

were of the same magnitude as

This alternative denotes that the "magnitude" is similar.

were in line with

This conveys agreement, similar level, correspondence or conformity.

were consistent with

This alternative conveys the idea of logical compatibility and lack of contradiction.

were analogous to

This suggests a parallel comparison.

FAQs

How can I properly use "were as" in a sentence?

Ensure that "were as" is part of a complete comparative structure. For instance, "The results "were as expected"" or "They "were as tall as" the trees" are grammatically correct.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "were as"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were just as", "were equally", or "were similar to".

Is it correct to say "They were as" without completing the comparison?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The phrase "were as" requires a completion with another "as" and the element you're comparing to. For example, it's better to say "They "were as diligent as" their peers" instead of stopping at "They were as".

What's the difference between "were as good as" and "were as good that"?

"Were as good as" is a comparative phrase used to show similarity in quality or condition, for instance, "They "were as good as" new". "Were as good that" is not a standard or grammatically correct construction in English.