were built some time ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were built some time ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was constructed in the past, without specifying an exact time frame. Example: "The old bridges in the city were built some time ago, and they are now in need of repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Virtually all the pipelines that are now in place, were built some time ago, and are thus riskier than DAPL.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was built some 250 years ago, not 350.

The New York Times

(Before the bridge was built some 15 years ago, a ferry ran only in daylight hours).

The New York Times - Travel

"So many Palm Beach homes were built a long time ago and people want modern conveniences," said Pamela Hoffpauer, president of Martha A. Gottfried real estate and president of the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce.

The New York Times

"The apartments are smaller, because they were built a long time ago," Mr. Friedrich said, "so by giving people the opportunity to enlarge their apartments, they stay rather than leave".

The New York Times

Despite the fact that Mobile Media and Health Watcher were built a long time ago, their architects were still available because one of the authors was somehow involved in those projects.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Another interpretation for higher MEs at psychiatric hospitals is because most psychiatric hospitals were built a long time ago, so there is an accumulated number of chronically ill inpatients suffering from regressive, psychiatric disorders [ 46, 55].

BMC Health Services Research

Downstairs is a room with mirrors built some time ago to improve the dancers' practice conditions, but as holes quickly appeared in the floor, the group was obliged to move back upstairs.

Huffington Post

And Andrew Sullivan talks about how when he was in college, and was told that he'd be staying in the "New Buildings," that he'd be in some "prefab" dorm, but luckily, all the "new" buildings were built a long time ago.

Huffington Post

"Those refineries were built a long time ago.

The New York Times

But given that the nation's and the region's bridges were built a long time ago and are not being maintained as they should be, he said that "it's pretty certain there are going to be more of these in the next 25 years than there were in the last 25 years".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were built some time ago", consider whether specifying a more precise timeframe (e.g., "were built in the 1920s") would add clarity or impact.

Common error

Avoid using "were built some time ago" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language to keep the text engaging and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were built some time ago" functions as a passive construction indicating when something was created in the past. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct, with usage patterns present in diverse contexts. The phrase's function is to denote a past action without specifying the exact timeframe.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were built some time ago" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something was constructed in the past without specifying an exact date. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and applicable across various contexts. Its frequency is uncommon, and it appears mainly in news, scientific, and business-related content. While generally neutral in tone, precise language may be preferable in more formal or technical writing. For alternative expressions, consider options like "were constructed in the past" or "were erected long ago" to vary your phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were constructed in the past

Emphasizes the past without specifying when.

were erected long ago

Highlights the considerable time that has passed since construction.

were established previously

Focuses on the establishment rather than the building process itself.

have been standing for years

Emphasizes the duration of their existence.

were created in earlier times

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a past creation.

were fabricated at an earlier date

Emphasizes the manufacturing aspect and a specific point in the past.

were developed some years back

Indicates development over a period in the past.

were assembled in former times

Highlights the assembly process and the past time.

were raised in bygone eras

Uses a more poetic or historical tone.

were founded in the distant past

Focuses on the founding or establishment rather than physical construction.

FAQs

What does "were built some time ago" mean?

The phrase "were built some time ago" indicates that something was constructed or created in the past, but the specific time is not known or is not important to mention precisely.

How can I use "were built some time ago" in a sentence?

You can use "were built some time ago" to describe buildings, infrastructure, or systems that have existed for an unspecified period. For example: "The old bridges in the city "were built some time ago", and they are now in need of repairs."

What are some alternatives to "were built some time ago"?

Alternatives include "were constructed in the past", "were erected long ago", or "have been standing for years", depending on the context.

Is "were built some time ago" formal or informal?

"Were built some time ago" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more specific language might be preferred in highly formal or technical writing.