were chosen from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were chosen from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a selection made from a larger group or set of options. Example: "The finalists for the competition were chosen from a pool of over a hundred applicants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The finalists were chosen from 90 entries.

The New York Times

The women were chosen from their newspaper advertisements.

The New York Times

The winners were chosen from 25 finalists selected nationwide.

The New York Times

200 candidates were chosen from the Greater N.Y.

The New Yorker

The finalists were chosen from 125 books nominated by 150 libraries in 40 countries.

The New York Times

The entries were chosen from 2,613 submissions from around the world.

The New York Times

The works of 33 playwrights from 10 states were chosen from more than 350 entries.

The New York Times

These three were chosen from 51 bids from different local authorities.

The Guardian

This year's shortlist of incredible images were chosen from more than 230,000 entries.

The Guardian - Travel

The 34 honorees were chosen from more than 1,100 entries.

The New York Times - Arts

They were chosen from 114 applicants from local authorities, housing associations, NHS organisations and housing developers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were chosen from", ensure the context clearly identifies both the selected items and the original pool from which they were selected. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were chosen from" without specifying the source or pool. Without this information, the sentence lacks context and leaves the reader wondering where the selection originated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were chosen from" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a selection has been made from a larger set. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase highlights the act of selection rather than the actor performing the selection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were chosen from" is a common and grammatically sound passive voice construction used to indicate selection from a larger set. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly News & Media and Science, offering a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the source of selection. For alternative phrasing, consider "were selected from" or "were picked from" based on the desired level of formality. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "were chosen from" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were selected from

Focuses on the act of selection, maintaining a similar level of formality.

were picked from

Offers a more informal alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

were derived from

Emphasizes the origin or source from which something is obtained.

were drawn from

Suggests a random or representative selection from a larger pool.

were obtained from

Focuses on the act of acquiring something from a specific source.

were taken from

Implies a direct extraction or removal from a source.

were sourced from

Highlights the origin or supply of something.

were extracted from

Suggests a careful or deliberate removal of something from a source.

originated from

Indicates the place or point where something began or was created.

stemmed from

Implies a causal relationship, where something arises or results from a particular source.

FAQs

How to use "were chosen from" in a sentence?

Use "were chosen from" to indicate that a selection was made from a larger group. For example, "The finalists "were chosen from" hundreds of applicants".

What can I say instead of "were chosen from"?

You can use alternatives like "were selected from", "were picked from", or "were drawn from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were chosen from" or "was chosen from"?

"Were chosen from" is used with plural subjects, while "was chosen from" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The winners "were chosen from" 25 finalists" (plural) versus "The winner "was chosen from" the group" (singular).

What's the difference between "were chosen from" and "originated from"?

"Were chosen from" indicates a selection process, while "originated from" indicates the source or origin of something. For example, "The finalists "were chosen from" a large pool" (selection) versus "The idea "originated from" a brainstorming session" (origin).