were consigned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were consigned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something has been assigned to a particular fate, situation, or place, often with a sense of finality or inevitability. Example: "After the trial, the defendants were consigned to a life of exile, far from their homeland."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Encyclopedias

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The European empires were consigned to history.

The Guardian - Books

They were consigned to the scrapheap of history.

The Guardian

Certain episodes, Ms Lee writes, were "consigned to silence".

The Economist

Convenience eventually won, and the eight-tracks were consigned to the basement.

The New York Times - Magazine

Many of the women were consigned to the laundries for petty criminal convictions.

The New York Times

Organ, speakers and burlap were consigned to live out their days elsewhere.

The New York Times

Most castes were deemed "backward," which meant that they were consigned to menial jobs.

The New York Times

The Dutchman was indifferent against Reims on Friday, and as such Lyon were consigned to a 1-0 loss.

The Guardian - Sport

Credits were consigned to a third of the screen, running simultaneously with promotional spots intended to keep the viewers hooked.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both men, she said, were consigned to the political equivalent of the seventh circle of hell.

Los Angeles Times

By the end of the 19th century, the bacteria causing what we now call tuberculosis (TB) had been identified and patients were consigned to sanatoriums.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were consigned to" when you want to emphasize the passive role of the subject and the inevitability or finality of their situation. It works well when describing historical trends, social conditions, or consequences of decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "were consigned to" in overly casual contexts. The phrase carries a degree of formality and weight, making it less appropriate for informal or lighthearted writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "were sent to" or "ended up in" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were consigned to" functions as a passive construction indicating assignment to a specific fate or condition, often implying a negative or undesirable outcome. Ludwig examples show it in contexts ranging from historical events to personal circumstances, illustrating its role in depicting states of being imposed upon a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sport

12%

Books

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Lifestyle

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were consigned to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies the assignment of a subject to a specific fate or condition, often with a negative or inevitable connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various reputable sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sport and Books, it carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the formality of the context and emphasizes the passive role of the subject. For less formal settings, alternatives like "were sent to" or "ended up in" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were relegated to

This alternative implies a demotion or reduction in status.

were assigned to

This suggests a formal assignment, possibly without negative connotations.

were doomed to

This conveys a sense of inevitable and negative fate.

were subjected to

This indicates that someone or something was forced to undergo a particular experience.

were condemned to

This suggests a strong disapproval or punishment leading to the assigned state.

were destined for

This highlights a predetermined fate or outcome.

were fated to

Similar to 'destined', but often carries a more dramatic or mythical tone.

were sentenced to

This implies a formal judgment or penalty that leads to the assigned state.

were surrendered to

This suggests a yielding or giving up to a particular situation or entity.

were reduced to

This indicates a lowering or decline to a less desirable state.

FAQs

How can I use "were consigned to" in a sentence?

The phrase "were consigned to" is used to indicate that someone or something has been irrevocably assigned to a particular, often undesirable, state or place. For example, "After the scandal, the politician's reputation "were consigned to" oblivion".

What are some alternatives to "were consigned to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were relegated to", "were assigned to", or "were doomed to".

Is "were consigned to" formal or informal?

The phrase "were consigned to" is generally considered to be formal. It's suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic writing.

What's the difference between "were consigned to" and "were sent to"?

While both phrases indicate movement to a location or state, "were consigned to" implies a sense of finality or inevitability, often with negative connotations. "were sent to" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily carry the same weight.