were augmented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were augmented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something was increased or enhanced in the past. Example: "The capabilities of the software were augmented with the latest update, allowing for more efficient processing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public high schools were augmented.

Britannica

All peripheral stenoses were augmented with pulmonary artery homograft tissue.

Stanford University

Hoffman's legal worries were augmented by the fact that this wasn't her first drug offense.

The New Yorker

The girls were augmented by a group of boys, Les Bluebell's Red Stars.

The Guardian

Their ranks were augmented by the millions of Hindus who had been converted to Islam.

The Washington Post

Aguinaldo proved incapable of militarily defeating the Spanish troops, who were augmented by Filipino mercenaries.

Britannica

On Independence Square, the already formidable barricades were augmented with more sacks of snow, metal railings and tyres.

The Guardian

And fillets of sautéed trout with a mild freshwater flavor were augmented by an edible pastry ramekin of creamed leeks.

The New York Times

Hypertext stories were augmented with photographs and illustrations, and electronic-keyboard noodlings was sometimes added in the background for atmosphere.

The New York Times - Books

The live musicians were augmented by electronic beats and samples, some apparently trigged by the keyboardist, Dan Bitney.

The New York Times - Arts

The four original freestyle events were augmented by other strokes, the backstroke in 1900 and the breaststroke in 1908.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were augmented" to clearly indicate that something has been increased or enhanced, especially when adding something to improve its quality or effectiveness. Ensure the context clarifies what is being augmented and what is being added.

Common error

Avoid using "were augmented" in contexts where simpler words like "increased" or "improved" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious. Choose the most straightforward and appropriate term for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were augmented" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received an increase or enhancement. As Ludwig AI explains, it follows standard grammar rules and is widely acceptable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in varied contexts like "Public high schools "were augmented"."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were augmented" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted passive verb phrase used to indicate that something has been increased or enhanced. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. With numerous examples spanning various domains, including science, news, and academia, it's clear that this phrase is versatile and reliable. While simpler alternatives exist, "were augmented" precisely conveys the idea of something being improved by an addition. It's crucial to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simple contexts to maintain clarity and avoid sounding pretentious. This phrase is frequently used across many authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were enhanced

Emphasizes improvement or elevation in quality or value.

were supplemented

Highlights the addition of something extra to complete or improve.

were increased

Focuses on a rise in quantity, size, or intensity.

were expanded

Suggests a broadening or extension in scope or scale.

were amplified

Implies an intensification or magnification of an effect or quality.

were reinforced

Indicates a strengthening or bolstering of something.

were boosted

Suggests a quick and significant increase or improvement.

were enriched

Emphasizes the addition of valuable or desirable elements.

were aggrandized

Implies an exaggeration or inflation of importance or power.

were inflated

Suggests an artificial or unwarranted increase in size or value.

FAQs

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

Use "were augmented" to indicate that something was increased or enhanced by the addition of something else. For example, "The library's collection "were augmented" with new books."

What are some alternatives to "were augmented"?

You can use alternatives such as "were enhanced", "were supplemented", or "were increased" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were augmented by"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "were augmented by" indicates that something was increased or enhanced by a specific addition or factor. For instance, "The team's efforts "were augmented by" the new strategy."

What is the difference between "were augmented" and "were complemented"?

"Were augmented" implies an increase or enhancement, while "were complemented" suggests that something was improved by adding something that completes or enhances its qualities. For example, features "were augmented" implies they became stronger, while they "were complemented" implies that they were made more complete.