were called

USAGE SUMMARY

"were called" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was given a name or title at some point in the past. For example: "The group of rebels were called the Redcoats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You were called.

The New York Times

They were called hysterical.

The New Yorker

Sauces were called "gravy".

The New Yorker

Furloughs were called off.

The New York Times

Police officers were called.

The Washington Post

The fakes were called "dogs".

The New York Times

Such hats were called gugus.

The New York Times - Arts

Emergency medical services were called.

The New York Times

Animal rescue officials were called.

Independent

These were called subprime loans.

The New Yorker

They were called the Revuers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were called" to clearly indicate how something was named or referred to in the past. For example, "The ancient warriors were called berserkers."

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily converting passive sentences using "were called" into active voice when the agent is unknown or unimportant. For instance, instead of "Someone called them heroes", use "They were called heroes" when the caller is irrelevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were called" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject received a name, title, or designation. Ludwig shows it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were called" is a grammatically sound and widely used passive verb phrase that indicates something received a name or designation in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's common across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific texts. When using "were called", ensure clarity in expressing past naming conventions, and be mindful of common errors such as unnecessary active voice conversions. Alternative phrases like "were named" or "were referred to as" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. As such, "were called" remains a versatile and valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were named

Focuses specifically on the act of giving a name.

were referred to as

Emphasizes the act of referencing using a specific term.

were designated as

Highlights the act of officially assigning a title or role.

were known as

Indicates a common or widespread recognition by a particular name.

were labeled as

Implies a categorization or classification with a specific label.

were styled as

Suggests a particular way of presenting or addressing something.

were termed as

Indicates the use of a specific term to describe something.

were christened

Implies formally giving a name

had been called

Uses the past perfect tense to add emphasis or give a prior perspective.

were identified as

Highlights act of being recognized or classified.

FAQs

How can I use "were called" in a sentence?

"Were called" indicates that something or someone was given a particular name or designation. For example, "The ships "were called" the Sea Serpent and the Flying Dutchman".

What is the difference between "were called" and "were named"?

While both indicate the act of giving a name, "were named" specifically refers to the act of formally giving a name, whereas "were called" is a broader term that can also imply being referred to as something. For example, "They "were named" after their grandfathers" versus "They "were called" heroes after their bravery".

What are some alternatives to using "were called"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were referred to as", "were known as", or "were designated as".

Is it correct to use "were called" in formal writing?

Yes, "were called" is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness and usability in written English.