were brought up

USAGE SUMMARY

"were brought up" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the way a person was raised by their parents or guardians. For example: "My siblings and I were brought up in a strict, traditional home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You were brought up poor.

The New York Times

They were brought up differently.

The New Yorker

My children were brought up as racists.

The Guardian

The children were brought up next.

The Guardian

"We were brought up in private schools".

The New York Times

They were brought up that way.

The Guardian

"We were brought up afraid to even talk about politics".

The New York Times

It was the way they were brought up.

Independent

Comparisons to "Blade Runner" were brought up repeatedly.

The New York Times

I suppose it's the way they were brought up".

The New Yorker

EMI We were brought up to love diamonds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were brought up", ensure the context clearly indicates the environment, values, or principles that influenced the individuals' upbringing.

Common error

Avoid using "were brought up" when an active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "They were brought up to believe in hard work", consider "They were raised to believe in hard work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were brought up" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating how individuals were raised, educated, or influenced during their formative years. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing the values, environments, and experiences that shaped people's upbringing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Lifestyle

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Sport

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were brought up" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the formative years and influences that shape individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. The examples show its application across diverse contexts, from news reports to personal narratives, highlighting its adaptability. While alternatives like "were raised" exist, "were brought up" remains a reliable choice for conveying the impact of upbringing on character and values. Remember to use this passive construction when the focus is on the individuals and the influences they experienced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were raised

Focuses specifically on the act of nurturing and rearing someone from childhood.

were nurtured

Emphasizes the caring and supportive aspect of raising someone.

were educated

Highlights the formal training and instruction received.

were taught

Focuses on the knowledge and skills imparted to someone.

were cultivated

Implies a deliberate and refined process of development.

were developed

Highlights the gradual growth and enhancement of skills or qualities.

were instilled with

Emphasizes the planting of values or beliefs in someone's mind.

were exposed to

Highlights the experiences and influences someone was subjected to.

were trained

Focuses on the specific skills or abilities someone was taught.

were accustomed to

Highlights the familiarization and adaptation to certain conditions or practices.

FAQs

How can I use "were brought up" in a sentence?

You can use "were brought up" to describe the way someone was raised. For example, "We "were brought up with strict morals" and values".

What's the difference between "were brought up" and "were raised"?

"Were brought up" and "were raised" are very similar, both referring to the way someone was nurtured and educated during childhood. "Were raised" is often considered more common in contemporary usage, but they're largely interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to "were brought up"?

Alternatives include phrases like "were nurtured", "were educated", or "were taught", depending on the specific aspect of upbringing you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to use "were brought up on"?

Yes, it is correct to use "were brought up on" to indicate what someone was raised with or exposed to from a young age. For instance, "We "were brought up on the river"".