were considered to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were considered to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something was viewed as a certain way in the past and is not necessarily still considered that way. For example, "Many of the laws in the past were considered to be outdated and in need of reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The two undercover cops were considered to be John's victims).

The New Yorker

Values less than 0.05 were considered to be significant.

Nature

Differences at P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Nature

The differences were considered to be significant if p < 0.05.

Nature

Differences were considered to be statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05.

Nature

Differences were considered to be statistically significant when p < 0.05.

Nature

And it said the themes were considered to be "appropriate".

The Guardian

Other genes (or gene families) were considered to be distributed.

Nature

Differences were considered to be statistically significant when P < 0.05.

Nature

p values lower than 0.05 were considered to be significant.

Nature

Results were considered to be significantly different at P < 0.05.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were considered to be" to indicate a past perception or evaluation that may not necessarily hold true today. This is especially useful when discussing historical viewpoints or changing opinions.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of the passive voice phrase "were considered to be" can make writing sound wordy and less direct. Opt for stronger, more active constructions where appropriate to improve clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were considered to be" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being considered. It reflects a past assessment or judgment, as Ludwig AI confirms, without necessarily implying ongoing validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

13%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were considered to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various domains. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, this phrase serves to express a past assessment, judgment, or classification. When using "were considered to be", remember that it reflects a viewpoint from the past and may not necessarily hold true today. To improve writing, avoid overuse and consider stronger, more active constructions when possible. Alternative phrases, such as "were deemed to be" or "were regarded as", can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were deemed to be

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

were regarded as

Emphasizes the way something was viewed or thought about by others.

were thought to be

Highlights the belief or opinion held about something.

were believed to be

Suggests a strong conviction or faith in something's nature or quality.

were understood as

Focuses on the interpretation or comprehension of something.

were viewed as

Highlights a particular perspective or angle from which something was observed.

were classified as

Indicates a categorization or grouping based on specific criteria.

were recognized as

Suggests an acknowledgment or awareness of something's characteristics or status.

were known as

Indicates widespread awareness or familiarity with something's name or description.

were labeled as

Highlights the act of assigning a specific designation or tag to something.

FAQs

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

Use "were considered to be" to express a past opinion or assessment. For example, "These results "were considered to be significant" when p < 0.05".

What are some alternatives to "were considered to be"?

You can use phrases like "were deemed to be", "were regarded as", or "were thought to be" to vary your writing.

Is it appropriate to use "were considered to be" in formal writing?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, be mindful of overusing passive voice, as it can make your writing less direct. Consider using active voice where appropriate to maintain clarity.

What's the difference between "were considered to be" and "are considered to be"?

"Were considered to be" indicates a past perception, while "are considered to be" indicates a present one. For example, "These methods "were considered to be acceptable" in the past, but now better techniques "are considered to be more efficient"".