were being ignored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were being ignored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is currently not receiving attention or consideration, often in a passive context. Example: "During the meeting, several important points were being ignored by the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They were being ignored".

The New York Times

Not that academics were being ignored.

The New York Times

We were being ignored by city and state agencies".

The New York Times

The farmers and drivers felt their concerns were being ignored.

The Guardian - Business

Take last week: Republicans disingenuously claimed that their healthcare ideas were being ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some family members thought fallen rescue workers were being immortalized while civilian victims were being ignored.

The New York Times

In May he said he was worried the deaths of men of color were being ignored.

The Guardian

Justice Powell pointed out that these prohibitions often were being ignored, however.

The New York Times

He said his recommendations to save future lives were being ignored.

The Guardian

"We couldn't understand why our instructions were being ignored but Richie was right".

The Guardian - Sport

Its representatives walked out, protesting that their demands were being ignored.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were being ignored" to describe situations where there is a lack of acknowledgment or attention, especially when something should be noticed or addressed. This phrase is particularly effective in passive constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "were being ignored" when an active construction would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The data were being ignored by the team", consider "The team ignored the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were being ignored" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being ignored. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It describes a state where attention or consideration is lacking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were being ignored" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys a situation where something or someone is not receiving the required attention or consideration. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to express concern or criticism about overlooked issues. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and consider whether an active voice might be more impactful. Alternatives such as "were overlooked" or "were neglected" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to use this phrase to describe a situation where there is a lack of acknowledgment or attention, especially when something should be noticed or addressed. This phrase is particularly effective in passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were going unnoticed

Emphasizes a lack of observation rather than deliberate neglect.

were overlooked

Suggests a failure to notice something important, often unintentionally.

were disregarded

Highlights a conscious decision to dismiss or reject something.

were neglected

Implies a lack of proper care or attention, potentially causing harm.

were brushed aside

Emphasizes a quick and dismissive rejection.

were sidelined

Indicates being moved to a less important position or role.

were unheeded

Stresses that advice or warnings were not listened to.

were given short shrift

Suggests receiving inadequate attention or consideration.

were passed over

Implies that something was deliberately skipped or not selected.

were left unattended

Focuses on the absence of someone to take care of something.

FAQs

How can I use "were being ignored" in a sentence?

Use "were being ignored" to describe a situation where something or someone is not receiving the necessary attention or consideration. For instance, "The safety concerns "were being ignored" by the management".

What are some alternatives to "were being ignored"?

You can use alternatives such as "were overlooked", "were neglected", or "were disregarded" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use an active or passive voice with "were being ignored"?

While "were being ignored" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, consider whether an active voice would make your sentence more direct and impactful. For example, "The committee ignored the evidence" is more direct than "The evidence "were being ignored" by the committee".

What's the difference between "were being ignored" and "were ignored"?

"Were being ignored" implies a continuous action in the past, suggesting that something was in the process of being ignored. "Were ignored" simply states that something was ignored at some point in the past without specifying the duration of the action.