were checked

USAGE SUMMARY

"were checked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has already happened in the past. Example: All of the items in the inventory were checked against the sales records.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Restaurants were checked out.

The New Yorker

Our restrooms were checked.

The New York Times

Bags were checked.

The New York Times

Oil levels were checked, engines revved.

The New York Times

"We were checked with metal detectors.

The New York Times

Only handgun buyers were checked before.

The New York Times

Both were checked out by the team's orthopedist.

The New York Times - Sports

The F1 animals were checked.

Protein & Cell

Purity of compounds were checked using HPLC.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

A total of 21 beams were checked.

Radiation Measurements

A total of 27 specimens were checked.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were checked", ensure the subject clearly identifies what was being inspected or verified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were checked" in present or future contexts; use "are checked" or "will be checked" accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were checked" functions as a passive past tense verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent an action of inspection or verification in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were checked" is a grammatically correct and very common passive past tense verb phrase used to indicate that something has undergone inspection or verification. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and applicable across various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, it maintains a neutral register. When using "were checked", ensure clarity by specifying what was being checked. Common alternatives include "were verified" and "were inspected", depending on the nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were verified

Uses the passive voice of "verify" to convey a formal confirmation.

had been verified

Uses "verified" instead of "checked", implying a formal confirmation process.

had been inspected

Replaces "checked" with "inspected", suggesting a more thorough and detailed examination.

were validated

Similar to "verified" but suggests a process of confirming the accuracy or legitimacy.

had been examined

Substitutes "checked" with "examined", indicating a careful and systematic investigation.

were assessed

Highlights the evaluation aspect of checking, implying a judgment was made.

were reviewed

Indicates a formal assessment or re-evaluation.

were scrutinized

Emphasizes a detailed and critical examination, making it suitable for situations needing rigorous verification.

underwent inspection

Emphasizes the process of inspection, highlighting that it was performed on something.

had been audited

Suggests a systematic and official examination, often in a financial or procedural context.

FAQs

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

Use "were checked" to indicate that something underwent an inspection or verification process in the past. For example, "All the data entries "were checked" for accuracy before submission".

What can I say instead of "were checked"?

You can use alternatives like "were verified", "were inspected", or "were examined" depending on the context.

Is "was checked" or "were checked" grammatically correct?

"Were checked" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The documents were checked"), while "was checked" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The document was checked").

What's the difference between "were checked" and "are checked"?

"Were checked" indicates a past action, while "are checked" indicates a present or ongoing action. For example, "The results "were checked" yesterday," vs. "The results "are checked" daily".