were awarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were awarded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone receiving something, usually as a result of having achieved something. For example: "The two top students were awarded a scholarship for their hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Awards were awarded.

Huffington Post

No damages were awarded.

The New York Times - Sports

Those were awarded three stars.

The New Yorker

Trophies and medals were awarded.

The New York Times - Sports

Roma were awarded a 3-0 win.

Independent

best buys we were awarded.

The Guardian - Business

Expenses were awarded against him".

The Guardian - Money

You were awarded an MBE.

The Guardian - Sport

The 2020 Games were awarded to Tokyo".

Independent

They were awarded $1m for their effort.

The Economist

The friends were awarded a tax credit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were awarded", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is receiving the award or honor. For example, "The students were awarded scholarships" is clearer than "Scholarships were awarded."

Common error

Avoid using "was awarded" when referring to multiple recipients. "The team was awarded" is incorrect if referring to each member; use "The team members were awarded" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were awarded" functions as a passive voice construction of the verb "award". It indicates that a subject (typically plural) received something as a result of a decision or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were awarded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the act of receiving an honor, prize, or recognition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science", it maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for both formal and informal communications. When using "were awarded", ensure correct subject-verb agreement and clear indication of the recipients. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "were granted" or "received recognition" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were granted

Focuses on the act of formally giving or bestowing something.

were bestowed

Highlights the act of conferring something, often of significant value or honor.

received recognition

Emphasizes the act of getting acknowledgement or praise.

were the recipients of

Emphasizes the act of receiving as a beneficiary.

were given

A more general term for receiving something.

had been presented with

Focuses on the act of formally presenting something.

obtained the honor

Indicates achieving a certain prestigious status.

earned the prize

Highlights that one earned the prize or honor.

were the beneficiaries of

Stresses the advantage gained from receiving something.

were decorated with

Often used when referring to medals or honors.

FAQs

How to use "were awarded" in a sentence?

Use "were awarded" to indicate that multiple subjects received something, typically an honor or prize. For example, "The athletes were awarded medals for their performance."

What can I say instead of "were awarded"?

You can use alternatives like "were granted", "received recognition", or "were bestowed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were awarded" or "was awarded"?

"Were awarded" is used for plural subjects, while "was awarded" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The students were awarded scholarships" versus "The student was awarded a scholarship."

What is the difference between "were awarded" and "received"?

"Were awarded" implies a formal recognition or judgment, whereas "received" is a more general term for getting something. "They were awarded the prize" suggests a competition or formal selection, while "They received the gift" simply means they obtained it.