were consulted

USAGE SUMMARY

"were consulted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a situation in which two or more people were asked or considered for opinion or advice. For example, "The committee members were consulted before the decision was finalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were consulted.

The New York Times

Employees were consulted, too.

The New York Times

Thousands of experts were consulted.

The New York Times

What cabinet members were consulted?

The New York Times

Several other writers were consulted.

The New York Times

Leading anthropologists were consulted along the way.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wikipedia and news photographs were consulted.

The New Yorker

THE "masses", of course, were consulted.

The Economist

"I'm asking you whether you were consulted.

The New York Times

Her cardiologist and a neurologist were consulted.

The New York Times - Magazine

Experts were consulted: Diana Kennedy, the Mexican cooking authority.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were consulted", ensure it's clear who was consulted and for what purpose. Providing this context enhances the clarity and informativeness of your writing.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who "were consulted". Vague phrasing can leave the reader wondering who provided the advice or input, weakening your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were consulted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a group or individuals received counsel or advice from someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were consulted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies seeking advice or opinions from others. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted. It's commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and business reports, indicating its versatility across various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who was consulted and the purpose of the consultation. Consider alternatives such as "received advice from" or "sought input from" to fine-tune the nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "were consulted" to enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a consultation with

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction emphasizing the consultation event.

were advised by

Focuses on the act of receiving advice, passive voice.

sought the opinion of

Specifically targets the seeking of someone's viewpoint or belief.

sought input from

Emphasizes seeking contribution and ideas from someone.

obtained guidance from

Highlights the act of getting specific direction or advice.

received advice from

Focuses on the act of getting advice, shifting from the act of consulting.

took counsel from

A more formal and literary way of saying sought advice.

had discussions with

Emphasizes a conversational exchange rather than a formal consultation.

were in communication with

Highlights the communication aspect more broadly, not specifically consultation.

were in contact with

Focuses on simply having contact, rather than receiving advice.

FAQs

How do I use "were consulted" in a sentence?

Use "were consulted" to indicate that individuals or sources were asked for their opinion or advice. For example, "Experts in the field "were consulted" before the policy was implemented".

What can I say instead of "were consulted"?

You can use alternatives like "received advice from", "sought input from", or "obtained guidance from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing consultations?

Both active and passive voice are acceptable. "We consulted experts" (active) emphasizes the actor, while "Experts "were consulted"" (passive) emphasizes the recipients of the consultation. The choice depends on your desired focus.

What's the difference between "were consulted" and "were interviewed"?

"Were consulted" implies seeking expert advice or opinions, while "were interviewed" suggests gathering information through structured questioning. The former emphasizes expertise, the latter, data collection.