were circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were circulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the distribution or sharing of information, documents, or materials among a group of people. Example: "The new policy documents were circulated among all employees for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Imperial orders for his arrest were circulated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Memes were circulated; cable news panels assembled.

The New York Times

Photographs of several victims were circulated widely.

The New York Times

Those images were circulated via Facebook.

The Washington Post

two originals were circulated to the researchers on the list.

Stanford University

"These pictures were circulated like trophies," Mr. Delgado said.

The New York Times

Videos of the attack were circulated widely online.

The New York Times - Tech

These were circulated on cassette, reaching a wide audience.

The Guardian - Music

These too were circulated mainly in Yiddish popular prints.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Copies of her prepared remarks were circulated over the weekend.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His videotaped allegations were circulated widely through the Internet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were circulated", ensure the subject clearly identifies what was distributed (e.g., documents, information, images) to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were circulated" without a clear agent or context. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes were circulated", specify "Mistakes were circulated by the intern" to clarify who or what was responsible for the distribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were circulated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being distributed. As Ludwig AI notes, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used. The examples show that it commonly applies to documents, images, and information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were circulated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb construction that indicates the distribution of something among a group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "were disseminated" might be preferable in certain settings. When using "were circulated", ensure clarity by specifying what was distributed and by whom, when relevant. Considering suitable contexts and avoiding ambiguity will result in the most impactful usage of this valuable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were distributed

Focuses on the act of giving out items or information to a group.

were disseminated

Emphasizes the widespread spreading of information.

were spread

Highlights the broad reach of the action.

were publicized

Focuses on making something known to the public.

were broadcast

Implies a wide, often digital, distribution.

were transmitted

Suggests a formal or technical method of distribution.

were issued

Implies an official release or distribution.

were released

Highlights the act of making something available after a period of control.

were propagated

Emphasizes the act of causing something to increase or spread.

were communicated

Focuses on the act of conveying information.

FAQs

How is "were circulated" used in a sentence?

The phrase "were circulated" indicates that something was distributed among a group. For example, "The documents "were circulated" among the team members for review."

What's the difference between "were circulated" and "were distributed"?

While similar, "were circulated" often implies a more informal or less controlled distribution compared to "were distributed". "Circulated" suggests something passing from person to person, whereas "distributed" can imply a more organized dispersal.

Is it correct to say "the information was circulated"?

While grammatically correct, "the information was circulated" might sound less formal than "the information "was disseminated"". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What can I say instead of ""were circulated"" in a formal context?

In a formal context, consider using alternatives like "were disseminated", "were issued", or "were distributed" to convey a more professional tone.