were attended by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were attended by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular event or gathering was participated in by certain individuals or groups. Example: "The conference was a great success, as it were attended by experts from various fields."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Opposition protests were attended by fewer people.

The Economist

The events were attended by thousands.

Stanford University

"None of these workshops were attended by Iranian journalists.

The Guardian

The couple were attended by Judith Stevens and Eggert Badagbjartsson.

The New York Times - Style

His lectures were attended by only three students.

The Guardian - Books

Last year 90 percent of births were attended by physicians, while just 9percentt were attended by midwives.

The Washington Post

All of those transitions were attended by bloodshed.

The New York Times

The Advanced courses were attended by medical (intensive care unit, nephrology, and others) and nursing professionals.

Transplantation Proceedings

Minutes of the session meetings which were attended by the pastor and the church elders.

Cornell University

These popular lectures were attended by royalty and many important figures in Victorian England.

University of California, Berkeley

Louis XIV's frequent wars concluded in peace congresses, which were attended by diplomats.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were attended by", ensure the subject is plural or collective to match the "were" conjugation. If referring to a singular subject, use "was attended by".

Common error

Avoid using "was attended by" when referring to multiple attendees or a plural subject. The correct form is "were attended by" to maintain grammatical accuracy. For example, instead of "The meetings was attended by managers", use "The meetings were attended by managers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were attended by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (e.g., an event, a meeting) received the action of being attended. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were attended by" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe that individuals or groups were present at an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, ensure that the subject is plural to maintain correct tense usage. Alternatives include "were present at" and "were joined by", each with slightly different connotations. Being aware of the context and potential for misusing singular tense can help improve writing accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were present at

This alternative focuses on the physical presence of individuals or groups at an event, emphasizing their being there.

were joined by

Indicates that people or entities came together at an event or location.

had in attendance

This alternative is a more formal way of expressing that certain individuals or groups were present.

saw the participation of

Highlights the active involvement of attendees, rather than just their presence.

were graced by the presence of

This phrase adds a level of formality and implies that the attendees enhanced the event by their presence.

were convened with

Suggests a formal meeting or assembly, where attendees came together for a specific purpose.

were visited by

Suggests a more formal or official appearance at an event, often implying a specific purpose.

were thronged with

This alternative evokes a sense of a large crowd, suggesting that the event was densely packed with attendees.

were filled with

Emphasizes the quantity or impact of attendees, suggesting a large or significant gathering.

had an audience of

Implies a performance or presentation setting, where attendees are primarily observers.

FAQs

How can I use "were attended by" in a sentence?

Use "were attended by" to indicate that a particular event or gathering had people present. For example, "The workshops were attended by students and faculty alike".

What phrases are similar to "were attended by"?

Similar phrases include "were present at", "were joined by", or "saw the participation of", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was attended by" instead of "were attended by"?

The choice between "was" and "were" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "was attended by" for singular subjects (e.g., "The meeting was attended by the CEO") and "were attended by" for plural subjects (e.g., "The meetings were attended by the board members").

What is the difference between "were attended by" and "were participating in"?

"Were attended by" indicates presence, while "were participating in" implies active involvement. The phrase "were attended by" simply means people were present, whereas "were participating in" suggests they took part in the activities.