were composed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were composed by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the authorship of a piece of music, literature, or any creative work that has been created by someone. Example: "The symphony was composed by Beethoven, showcasing his unique style and mastery of orchestration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of the melodies were composed by the poets themselves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, although most sacred texts in Sanskrit were composed by Brahmans, many were composed by lower-class authors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The earliest poems were composed by desert nomads in the centuries before the revelation of the Koran.

The New Yorker

But most of the lyrics in 'Porgy' — and all of the distinguished ones — were composed by Heyward.

The New Yorker

Several short narrative poems in Homeric verse, of mythological content, were composed by contemporaries of Nonnus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not until Williams's acknowledgments, however, do we learn that Damaris's entries were composed by the author's dedicatee, Natasha Soobramanien.

The New York Times - Books

In some cases these debates were imaginary, and both sides of the issue were composed by the same person.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He has only written a few of them; the rest were composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Lyra, Dorival Caymmi and other Brazilian songwriters of the 1950's.

The New York Times - Arts

In Soviet times, speeches were composed by committees, Mr. Kanishev said, "10 or 12 people who would drink a glass of cognac and then put something together".

The New York Times

The string parts were composed by a 24-year-old called Carl Marsh, who has gone on to write string arrangements for scores of huge-selling albums.

The Guardian - Music

Looked at upside down or sideways, it still says the same thing: the Sonatas and Partitas and the suites were composed by Bach and copied by his wife.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific verbs than "composed" to convey the nature of the creation more precisely. For example, use "written" for texts, "designed" for structures, or "formulated" for plans.

Common error

Avoid using "were composed by" to describe things that are assembled or constructed, rather than creatively authored. For example, it's more appropriate to say a building "was designed by" an architect, not "composed by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were composed by" functions as a passive construction indicating the authorship or creation of something. It emphasizes the work done by the subject mentioned after 'by'. Ludwig confirms this structure is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were composed by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction to attribute authorship, primarily for creative works like music and literature. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to use more specific verbs in some cases to enhance clarity and avoid misapplication to non-creative contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news, science and encyclopedic content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were created by

Focuses on the act of creation rather than specifically composition.

were made by

A general term for creation, suitable for a wide range of contexts.

were written by

Specifically denotes authorship of written material.

were authored by

A more formal way of saying "were written by".

were developed by

Emphasizes the process of development and building something complex.

were designed by

Highlights the design aspect of the creation.

were produced by

Focuses on the production or manufacturing of something.

were formulated by

Suggests a careful and deliberate process of creation, often used in scientific contexts.

were fabricated by

Implies the construction or assembly of something, often from different parts.

were originated by

Highlights the origin or initial creation of something.

FAQs

How do I use "were composed by" in a sentence?

Use "were composed by" to indicate who created a piece of music, literature, or another artistic work. For example, "The music "was composed by" Mozart".

What are some alternatives to "were composed by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were created by", "were written by", or "were designed by".

Is it correct to say "was composed by" instead of "were composed by"?

The correct form depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "was composed by" for a singular subject (e.g., "The song was composed by him"), and "were composed by" for a plural subject (e.g., "The songs "were composed by" them").

What is the difference between "composed by" and "written by"?

"Composed by" typically refers to music, while "written by" refers to text. While there can be overlap (e.g., a song "is written by" a lyricist and "is composed by" a musician), it's best to use the more specific term when possible.