were carried out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were carried out' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been done or completed. For example, "The tests that were requested by the doctor were carried out yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Past drawdowns were carried out in peacetime.

The New York Times

Repairs were carried out following the war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Salvage excavations were carried out in 1989.

Wikipedia

Atrocities were carried out by both sides.

Wikipedia

Similar investigations were carried out in Sweden.

Wikipedia

Further repairs were carried out in 1667.

Wikipedia

The arrests were carried out peacefully.

Huffington Post

Immunoprecipitations were carried out overnight.

Plosone

Experiments were carried out twice.

Plosone

These assays were carried out in triplicate.

Plosone

All tests were carried out blindly.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were carried out", ensure the passive voice is appropriate and that the actor is either unknown, unimportant, or intentionally omitted. This construction is particularly useful in scientific writing where the focus is on the action rather than the performer.

Common error

Avoid using "were carried out" excessively, as it can make your writing sound impersonal or vague. Balance passive constructions with active voice where appropriate to improve clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were carried out" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action or set of actions has been performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes that something has been done or completed, shifting the focus from the actor to the action itself. This is evident in examples like "Repairs were carried out following the war."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

18%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were carried out" is a passive voice construction used to indicate that actions have been performed, often without specifying the actor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently encountered in scientific and academic writing, as well as news reporting, maintaining a formal tone. When using the phrase, ensure the passive voice is appropriate and consider alternative active voice constructions for clarity and engagement. While synonyms like "were conducted" and "were performed" exist, they offer nuanced differences in meaning. Therefore, it's a correct phrase to use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were performed

Focuses on the execution of a task or activity, similar to "were carried out" but with a slightly more formal tone.

were conducted

Implies a more organized or methodical approach to the execution, often used in the context of experiments or investigations.

were executed

Emphasizes the completion of a plan or order, often with a sense of precision or authority.

were implemented

Highlights the putting into effect of a plan or system, focusing on the practical application.

were undertaken

Suggests that something was started and completed, often implying a degree of effort or commitment.

were completed

Directly states that something has been finished, focusing on the result rather than the process.

were effected

Implies that something was brought about or caused to happen, often with a sense of influence or agency.

were enacted

Typically used in the context of laws or regulations, indicating that they were put into effect.

were discharged

Suggests the fulfillment of a duty or obligation, often with a sense of release or completion.

were administered

Implies the management or supervision of a process or task, often in a formal or official context.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were carried out" to use the active voice?

To use the active voice, identify the actor and make them the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of "The experiments "were carried out" by the scientists", you could say "The scientists carried out the experiments".

What are some synonyms for "were carried out" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, alternatives to "were carried out" include "were conducted", "were performed", or "were executed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who carried out an action when using "were carried out"?

No, it is not always necessary. The passive voice is often used when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context. However, be mindful of overusing the passive voice, as it can sometimes make your writing less clear.

When is it more appropriate to use "were carried out" instead of "was carried out"?

"Were carried out" is used when referring to plural subjects or multiple actions, while "was carried out" is used for singular subjects or single actions. For example, "The experiments were carried out" (plural) versus "The experiment was carried out" (singular).