were complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been finished or finalized in the past. Example: "The reports were complete and ready for submission by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were complete neophytes.

The New York Times - Travel

The Yankees were complete again.

The New York Times - Sports

Either way they were complete illusions.

The New York Times - Arts

But in general we were complete opposites.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We were complete opposites," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were complete prisoners," Jennifer says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I thought [the programmes] were complete shit.

The Guardian - Books

Together they were complete, and irresolvable.

The Guardian - Books

By early August ,2013, the Davis investigations were complete.

The New Yorker

The First of the 69th's missions were complete, for now.

The New York Times

But we were complete strangers to each other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were complete", ensure the subject clearly indicates what has been finished or made whole. For example, "The renovations were complete by the end of the month."

Common error

Avoid using "were complete" with singular subjects. Instead, use "was complete" for singular nouns, such as "The project was complete."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were complete" functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a state of being finished or whole. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

43%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were complete" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote a state of being finished or whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific publications and wiki entries. When using "were complete", ensure subject-verb agreement and consider context when choosing among alternatives such as "were finished" or "were finalized". Avoiding common errors like incorrect subject-verb agreement will further enhance clarity and precision in your writing. With a strong presence in authoritative sources, "were complete" remains a reliable and effective way to express completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were finished

Focuses on the action of ending or concluding something.

were done

Emphasizes the state of being completed or accomplished.

were finalized

Highlights the formal completion or settlement of something.

were concluded

Stresses the termination or resolution of a process or event.

were accomplished

Emphasizes the successful achievement of something.

were fulfilled

Implies the satisfaction of a requirement or condition.

were implemented

Highlights the execution or putting into effect of a plan or system.

were ready

Focuses on the preparedness or availability after completion.

were in place

Indicates the establishment or positioning of something.

were achieved

Highlights the gaining or obtaining of a goal or result.

FAQs

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

You can use "were complete" to indicate that something has reached its end or has been fully accomplished. For instance, "The preparations for the event were complete."

What are some alternatives to saying "were complete"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were finished", "were finalized", or "were concluded".

Is it correct to say "was complete" instead of "were complete"?

The choice between "was complete" and "were complete" depends on the subject. Use "was complete" with singular subjects (e.g., "The report was complete") and "were complete" with plural subjects (e.g., "The reports were complete").

What's the difference between "were complete" and "were completed"?

"Were complete" describes the state of being finished or whole, while "were completed" emphasizes the action of finishing. For example, "The tasks were complete" describes their state, and "The tasks were completed yesterday" emphasizes when they were finished.