were contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were contained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was held or included within a certain limit or boundary in the past. Example: "The documents were contained in a secure folder to ensure their safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But ultimately the Soviets were contained.

The New York Times

Britons were contained, reserved, never so brash.

The Guardian - Books

Paine's closing years, pitiful as they were, contained one triumph.

The Guardian - Books

The revamped proposals were contained in President Bush's budget.

The New York Times

They were contained in a decaying black garbage bag.

The New York Times

It may have been the vessel they were contained in – a peanut butter jar.

The Guardian - Books

The words that really mattered were contained in that 240-page indictment.

The Guardian - Sport

Officials said the anthrax exposures here were contained to the American Media building.

The New York Times

"These young performers were contained within the pressure cooker of butoh training," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

The drugs were contained in 54 bags, each weighing about 70 pounds, officials said.

The New York Times

The performers were contained in two roped-off corrals, beneath the hall's massive gold chandeliers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were contained", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being held or included within a defined space or set of parameters. For instance, "The documents were contained within a secure folder" clarifies where the documents were located and the purpose of their containment.

Common error

Avoid using "were contained" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The box were contained the toys", a better construction would be "The box contained the toys".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were contained" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject underwent the action of being contained. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase describes items being held, enclosed, or included within a specific location or boundary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Huffington Post

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were contained" is a versatile passive verb construction that indicates something was held, included, or restricted within a specific boundary. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, ensure the subject is plural and that the passive voice is appropriate. Consider alternatives like "were included" or "were enclosed" depending on the desired nuance. While "were contained" is widely accepted, avoiding its misuse with singular subjects or when active voice is preferable will enhance writing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were held within

Similar to 'contained' but explicitly mentions the act of holding.

were included

Expresses simple inclusion within something; less emphasis on restriction or control.

were kept inside

Emphasizes maintaining something within a defined boundary.

were enclosed

Focuses on physical containment within an area or object.

were confined

Highlights the idea of restriction to a limited space or condition.

were restricted

Emphasizes limitations or boundaries placed upon something.

were limited

Similar to 'restricted', but may imply a numerical or quantitative limit.

were encompassed by

Indicates inclusion within a larger scope or boundary.

were composed of

Focuses on the constituent elements that make up a whole.

were surrounded by

Focuses on the idea of being enclosed on all sides.

FAQs

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

"Were contained" is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something was held or included within something else. For example, "The explosives "were contained" in plastic bags" or "The names "were contained" in the database".

What are some alternatives to "were contained"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "were included", "were enclosed", or "were confined".

Is it correct to say "was contained" instead of "were contained"?

No, "was contained" is used with singular subjects, while "were contained" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The information was contained in the report" (singular) versus "The details "were contained" in the documents" (plural).

What is the difference between "were contained" and "were comprised"?

"Were contained" indicates that something was held or included within something else, while "were comprised" indicates that something was made up of something else. For example, "The samples "were contained" in the lab" (location) versus "The committee were comprised of experts" (composition).