were billed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were billed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of charging someone for a service or product that has been provided, typically in a financial context. Example: "After the service was completed, the clients were billed for the total amount due."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The events were billed as C.E.O.

The New York Times - Tech

Both were billed as "hot".

The New York Times

On arrival the pair were billed as United's galácticos.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes expenses were billed twice to the Port Authority.

The New York Times

The day's events were billed as low-key.

The Guardian

But those were billed as pragmatic, budgetary moves.

The New York Times

(On the second visit, we were billed for a flight of martinis we hadn't ordered).

The New York Times

His offer came on the eve of what were billed as the largest demonstrations to date.

The New York Times

We ordered what were billed as small cones, which turned out to be three enormous scoops.

The New York Times - Arts

Senior software developers were billed at $72 an hour and software developers $60 an hour.

The New York Times

Those not covered, prosecutors said, were billed as having had other surgeries, like cyst removals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were billed", ensure the context clearly indicates what the charge is for and who is responsible for paying it. For example, "Customers were billed for the additional services without prior notice."

Common error

Avoid using "were billed" and "were charged" interchangeably without considering the nuance. "Were billed" implies the act of sending an invoice, while "were charged" indicates that a specific amount was added to an account or credit card. For example, a customer might be billed for services rendered, but they are charged when the amount is due.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were billed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone received a bill or invoice for goods or services. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. Examples show its common use in diverse contexts such as news, science and business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were billed" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the act of receiving a bill or invoice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. As demonstrated by a variety of real-world examples, the phrase is used across different contexts, including News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. This means it's generally suitable for various levels of formality. Remember to use the phrase when you want to indicate that someone received an invoice and consider related phrases like "were charged" or "were invoiced" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were charged

This alternative focuses on the act of imposing a charge or fee, rather than the presentation of a bill.

were invoiced

"Invoiced" specifically refers to the creation and sending of an invoice, a more formal document than a simple bill.

were debited

"Debited" implies that an amount was taken directly from an account, rather than just being requested.

were assessed

"Assessed" suggests an evaluation was made to determine the amount due, often in the context of taxes or fees.

were presented with a bill

This is a more verbose way of saying "were billed", adding emphasis to the receipt of the bill.

received a bill

This alternative highlights the recipient's action of getting a bill, shifting focus from the act of billing.

were asked to pay

This alternative emphasizes the request for payment, rather than the formal process of billing.

were obligated to pay

This stresses the obligation to pay, focusing on the responsibility created by the bill.

were liable for

This alternative highlights the legal responsibility to pay a certain amount.

were held responsible for payment

This alternative emphasizes the allocation of responsibility for the payment.

FAQs

How to use "were billed" in a sentence?

Use "were billed" to indicate that someone received an invoice or statement requesting payment for goods or services. For example, "The patients "were billed" for the medical procedures after their insurance coverage was applied."

What can I say instead of "were billed"?

You can use alternatives like "were charged", "were invoiced", or "received a bill depending on the context".

Which is correct, "were billed" or "have been billed"?

Both "were billed" and "have been billed" are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Were billed" indicates a completed action in the past, while "have been billed" suggests an action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "They "were billed" last month" (completed action) versus "They "have been billed" every month since January" (ongoing action).

What's the difference between "were billed" and "were assessed"?

"Were billed" refers to the process of receiving an invoice for payment, whereas "were assessed" means that a value or amount has been determined, usually for taxes or fees. You "were billed" for the services you used, but you "were assessed" for the property tax.