were booked

USAGE SUMMARY

'were booked' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're talking about something that happened in the past, or when making plans for the future. For example: "The tickets for the concert were booked weeks in advance." OR "We were booked to stay at the hotel for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Real Madrid were booked.

The Guardian - Sport

All hotels were booked.

The New York Times

Tonight, many players were booked".

The Guardian - Sport

The six slots were booked.

The New York Times - Travel

Tours were booked, then cancelled.

The Guardian - Books

Hotels were booked solid months ago.

The New York Times - Sports

All the nearby hotel rooms were booked.

The New York Times

All the rooms were booked long ago.

The New Yorker

But six million were booked days ago.

The New Yorker

All these gigs were booked in.

The Guardian

"We were booked on the same talk show," Elmaleh recalled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were booked" to describe reservations, avoid ambiguity by including details such as the specific date, time, or type of reservation (e.g., "The hotel rooms were booked solid months ago").

Common error

Avoid using "were booked by" when the agent performing the booking is irrelevant or obvious. Instead of saying "The rooms were booked by the travel agent", simply say "The rooms were booked" if the agent isn't the focal point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were booked" functions as a passive voice verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being booked or reserved. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. The examples show its use in contexts ranging from hotel reservations to legal bookings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were booked" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the past action of booking or reserving something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable and understandable. The examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts, from travel arrangements to legal proceedings. While its register is generally neutral, specific contexts may influence the perceived formality. When using "were booked", clarity is key. Specify what was booked and avoid passive voice overuse. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately communicate using this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been reserved

Focuses specifically on the act of reserving something in advance.

had been scheduled

Emphasizes the act of putting something on a schedule or timetable.

had been registered

Highlights the formal recording of an event or individual.

were slated

Suggests an event or performance was officially planned.

were assigned

Focuses on the allocation of a task or duty to someone.

were arranged

Implies a plan or setup was put in place.

were listed

Focuses on the presence of something on a particular list or record.

were committed

Highlights that a firm pledge was made.

were appointed

Signifies a formal placement or assignment.

had been penciled in

Indicates a tentative scheduling that is not yet finalized.

FAQs

How is "were booked" used in a sentence?

"Were booked" indicates that something was reserved or scheduled in the past. For example, "The tickets "were booked" weeks in advance" or "The hotel rooms "were booked" for the conference."

What are some alternative phrases for "were booked"?

Alternatives include "had been reserved", "had been scheduled", or "had been registered", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "were booked" instead of "was booked"?

"Were booked" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The rooms were booked"), while "was booked" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The room was booked").

Is "were booked" formal or informal?

"Were booked" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and vocabulary of the writing than on the phrase itself.