were assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were assumed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you are discussing beliefs, expectations, or hypotheses that were held in the past. Example: "The results were assumed to be accurate based on the initial data." Alternative expressions include "were considered," "were regarded," and "were thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Certain things were assumed, Leiter said.

The New York Times - Sports

But things were assumed to be different for women.

The New Yorker

All were assumed to have malaria and scabies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Moody's and Standard & Poor's were assumed to know best.

The Economist

Two were assumed to be workers because they were handcuffed.

The New York Times

Most domestic routes were assumed by regional airlines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

were assumed in the simulations.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

Frictionless contact conditions were assumed.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Monochorionic placentas were assumed to be MZ.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

5% deviations of seed sizes were assumed.

Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy

Moreover, the following parameters were assumed.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were assumed", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the assumption and the basis for it. This adds clarity and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting assumptions as facts. Clearly differentiate between what "were assumed" and what has been proven or verified. Use qualifiers like 'it was assumed that' to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were assumed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a belief, condition, or fact was taken as true without concrete evidence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used across various domains, signaling its widespread acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were assumed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that something was taken as true without proof. According to Ludwig, it appears commonly in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity about who made the assumption and the basis for it, while also avoiding presenting assumptions as definitive facts. Alternatives like "were presumed" or "were considered" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were presumed

This alternative suggests a slightly stronger level of confidence than "were assumed".

were taken for granted

This highlights that something was accepted without question or verification.

were considered

This indicates a more deliberate evaluation, though still implying a lack of concrete proof.

were understood

This suggests a common knowledge or implicit agreement.

were supposed

This implies an expectation or obligation, often based on a rule or agreement.

were believed

This directly indicates a state of belief, without necessarily implying proof.

were expected

This focuses on an anticipation of something happening.

were anticipated

Similar to "were expected" but often implies a more formal or planned anticipation.

were hypothesized

This is used specifically in a scientific context to indicate a proposed explanation.

were conjectured

This suggests a guess or speculation based on incomplete information.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were assumed" indicates something that was taken as true without proof. For instance, "The data "were assumed" to be accurate, but further testing is needed."

What can I say instead of "were assumed"?

You can use alternatives like "were presumed", "were considered", or "were believed" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "were assumed" and "were proven"?

"Were assumed" indicates something taken to be true without concrete evidence, while "were proven" means something has been verified with evidence and confirmed as fact.

Is it correct to use "were assumed" in academic writing?

Yes, it is acceptable in academic writing, especially when discussing hypotheses, preliminary findings, or conditions prior to experimentation. However, always clarify the basis for the assumption.