were considered

USAGE SUMMARY

"were considered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something was taken into account by someone. For example: All the ideas that were presented in the meeting were considered before we came to a final decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were considered terrorists.

The New Yorker

Two rationales were considered.

The New Yorker

They were considered traitors.

The New York Times

What issues were considered?

The New York Times - Sports

(Both were considered contraband).

The New Yorker

"They were considered unhealthy.

The New York Times - Arts

"All options were considered".

The New York Times

They were considered transgressive".

The New York Times - Books

Both arms were considered.

Nature

All predictions were considered.

Nature

Sites were considered.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were considered", ensure the subject clearly identifies who did the considering. This adds clarity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "were considered" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and less direct. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice construction where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were considered" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject received attention or evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were considered" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase. It's used to indicate that something has been evaluated or thought about, often without specifying who did the considering. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and opt for active voice when appropriate to maintain a direct writing style. The phrase is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, making it suitable for both formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were deemed

Replaces "considered" with "deemed", suggesting a more formal judgment or assessment.

were regarded as

Emphasizes how something was viewed or perceived by others.

were thought of as

Focuses on the mental process of considering something in a certain way.

were viewed as

Highlights the act of observing or inspecting something and forming an opinion.

were looked upon as

Similar to "viewed as", but implies a slightly more passive observation.

were appreciated as

Indicates a positive evaluation or recognition of value.

were recognized as

Highlights the act of identifying or acknowledging something.

were understood as

Emphasizes comprehension and interpretation.

were judged to be

Implies a formal evaluation leading to a specific judgment.

were esteemed as

Suggests a high level of respect or admiration.

FAQs

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

Use "were considered" when you want to express that something was evaluated or regarded in a certain way. For example, "The proposals "were considered" carefully by the committee".

What are some alternatives to "were considered"?

Alternatives include "were deemed", "were regarded as", or "were viewed as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were considered"?

While "were considered" is grammatically correct in passive voice, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The options were considered by the team", you could write "The team considered the options".

What's the difference between "were considered" and "were being considered"?

"Were considered" implies a completed action of consideration, while "were being considered" suggests an ongoing process. For example, "The candidates "were considered" last week" versus "The candidates "were being considered" during the interviews".