were cleaned

USAGE SUMMARY

"were cleaned" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been cleaned or to express an action that was performed in the past. Example: "The dishes were cleaned by the dishwasher." In this sentence, "were cleaned" indicates that the action of cleaning the dishes had already been completed in the past.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Courtyards were cleaned and landscaped.

The New York Times

The intestines were cleaned and stuffed.

The New York Times

The machines in these plans were cleaned with air blowers.

The New York Times

Thousands of toxic-waste sites and landfills were cleaned up.

The New York Times - Magazine

All these were cleaned up for the website version.

The Guardian

Quickly, the drains were cleaned and the sewers fixed.

The New York Times

Places that were cleaned up were mostly rubble stacked up.

The Economist

Old doors and windows were cleaned up and reinstalled throughout.

The New York Times

Stalls and bunks were cleaned daily.

AMB Express

They were cleaned with distilled water.

Chemistry Central Journal

Si substrates were cleaned by standard processes.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were cleaned", ensure the subject is plural and the context clearly indicates what or who performed the cleaning action, even if it's implied.

Common error

Avoid using "were cleaned" with a singular subject; instead, use "was cleaned". For example, it's incorrect to say "The room were cleaned"; the correct form is "The room was cleaned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were cleaned" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that the subject received the action of cleaning. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, and examples show it frequently describing objects or spaces that underwent a cleaning process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were cleaned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating that a plural subject has undergone a cleaning process. Ludwig AI highlights its commonality across diverse sources, particularly in scientific and news contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement, and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "had been sanitized" or "had been purified" depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to communicate a completed action with focus on the result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been sanitized

Emphasizes disinfection rather than just removal of dirt.

had been purified

Focuses on removing impurities, often in a more technical or scientific context.

had been disinfected

Highlights the elimination of harmful microorganisms.

had been cleared

Suggests removal of obstructions or unwanted items.

had undergone cleaning

Highlights the process of cleaning, rather than the state of being clean.

were made spotless

Emphasizes the result of the cleaning process, suggesting a high level of cleanliness.

were scrubbed

Specifies the cleaning method, implying a thorough and forceful cleaning action.

were washed

Suggests cleaning with water, which may not always be the method used for cleaning in all contexts.

were tidied up

Implies making something neater and more organized, which may not necessarily involve cleaning in the strict sense.

were wiped down

Suggests a quick surface cleaning, rather than a thorough cleaning.

FAQs

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

Use "were cleaned" to describe something plural that has been subjected to a cleaning process. For example, "The windows "were cleaned" this morning".

What's a good alternative to using "were cleaned"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like "had been sanitized", "had been purified", or "had been cleared".

Is it ever incorrect to use "were cleaned"?

Yes, using "were cleaned" with a singular subject is grammatically incorrect. The correct form for a singular subject is "was cleaned". It's also important to ensure the context matches the passive voice.

What is the difference between "were cleaned" and "are cleaned"?

"Were cleaned" indicates a past action, while "are cleaned" suggests a present or ongoing action. For instance, "The floors "were cleaned" yesterday" (past) versus "The floors "are cleaned" daily" (present).