were associated with

USAGE SUMMARY

"were associated with" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use this phrase when describing a connection between two ideas, people, or things. For example, "The symbols of the moon and stars were associated with Luna, the goddess of the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All were associated with fast-moving glaciers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Bektashi dervishes were associated with 17.

The Guardian - Books

"They were associated with Tutsis," the R.P.F.

The New Yorker

Thousands of the unauthorized search terms were associated with Americans.

The New Yorker

Frequent all-nighters were associated with problem users.

The Guardian

Others, like "orange," were associated with archrival Princeton.

The New York Times

None of the men were associated with Mr. bin Laden.

The New York Times

Diuretics were associated with a greater risk reduction, 43percentt.

The New York Times - Health

Bathing suits, she figured, were associated with vacations and fun.

The New Yorker

Six deaths were associated with infant swings, the agency said.

The New York Times

No deaths or injuries were associated with the problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were associated with", ensure the connection you're describing is clear and specific. Avoid vague associations that lack evidence or supporting details.

Common error

Avoid implying causation when only correlation exists. Just because two things "were associated with" each other does not mean one caused the other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were associated with" functions as a passive voice construction indicating a connection, relationship, or link between two or more entities. It's frequently used to describe correlations or relationships without necessarily implying direct causation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were associated with" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a connection or relationship between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. The phrase is particularly common in academic, news, and scientific contexts, serving to establish correlations without necessarily implying causation. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and specificity in the described connection, avoiding overstatements of causation based solely on correlation. Alternative phrases like "were linked to" or "were connected to" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. With a high expert rating and frequent usage, "were associated with" remains a valuable tool for expressing relationships across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were linked to

Indicates a direct connection or causal relationship, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

were connected to

Implies a relationship, which can be physical or abstract, suggesting a link or association.

were related to

Suggests a connection or link, often implying a familial or correlational relationship.

were tied to

Emphasizes a strong, often inseparable, connection or dependence.

were attributed to

Implies that something is caused by or credited to a specific source or factor.

were known for

Indicates a characteristic or reputation that something or someone possesses.

were identified with

Suggests a strong alignment or association, often in terms of beliefs or characteristics.

were implicated in

Indicates involvement, often in a negative or problematic context, such as a crime or issue.

were characteristic of

Highlights a typical or distinguishing feature of something.

were in partnership with

Indicates collaboration or alliance between entities, often in a business or formal context.

FAQs

How can I use "were associated with" in a sentence?

Use "were associated with" to indicate a relationship or connection between two or more things. For instance, "The symptoms of the illness were associated with exposure to the toxin."

What are some alternatives to "were associated with"?

Alternatives include "were linked to", "were connected to", or "were related to", depending on the specific context and the nature of the relationship.

Is it correct to say "was associated with" instead of "were associated with"?

Use "was associated with" for singular subjects and "were associated with" for plural subjects. For example, "The study was associated with positive outcomes," versus "The studies were associated with positive outcomes."

What is the difference between "were associated with" and "were caused by"?

"Were associated with" indicates a correlation or relationship, while "were caused by" implies a direct causal link. For instance, symptoms might "were associated with" a virus, but complications "were caused by" a secondary infection.