were controlled by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were controlled by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where one entity has authority or influence over another in the past. Example: "The resources were controlled by the central government during the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The arms sales were controlled by Lieut.

The New York Times

Those were controlled by the British, with some Arabs.

Columbia University

They were controlled by faceless corporations and the military.

The Guardian - Books

The 1994 rights were controlled by Warner Music Group.

The New York Times

Squares were gated, streets were controlled by turnpikes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both companies were controlled by the Bryan family.

The New York Times

First-generation Google TVs were controlled by a clunky keyboard.

The New York Times

Chartered companies offered limited liability but were controlled by governments.

The Economist

"It is almost as if one part of Libya were controlled by White Russians that's Haftar and another part were controlled by Bolsheviks".

The New Yorker

In each strain, the two reporter genes were controlled by identical promoters.

Harvard University

The robots this year were controlled by new motherboards, supplied by Compaq.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a more specific verb than "controlled" if it provides a more accurate description of the relationship, such as "governed", "managed", or "influenced".

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "were controlled by", as it can sometimes obscure who is responsible for the control. Active voice often creates a more direct and impactful sentence. For example, instead of "The experiment was controlled by the software", consider "The software controlled the experiment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were controlled by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received control from an external agent. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from political power dynamics to scientific experiments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were controlled by" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe instances where authority or influence was exerted in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its widespread use across various domains, including news, science, and academia, suggests its versatility and general applicability. While it's important to be mindful of potential overuse of passive voice, "were controlled by" remains a valuable tool for conveying information about influence and governance. Consider using related phrases like "were managed by" or "were influenced by" depending on the specific context. Remembering that clear communication is always paramount, use the active voice where appropriate to improve the impact of your writing. Avoid the overuse of passive voice to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were managed by

Focuses on the administrative aspect of control.

were administered by

Similar to managed by, but perhaps more formal.

were governed by

Implies a formal system of rules and authority.

were regulated by

Focuses on adherence to rules and standards.

were supervised by

Suggests oversight and direction.

were directed by

Emphasizes guidance and instruction.

were influenced by

Highlights the impact of external factors.

were dominated by

Suggests a powerful force exerting control.

were dictated by

Implies strict and absolute control.

were commanded by

Implies military-style authority and orders.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were controlled by" to use active voice?

You can often rephrase "were controlled by" into active voice by making the controlling entity the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of "The data were controlled by the algorithm", you can say "The algorithm controlled the data".

What are some alternatives to "were controlled by" that emphasize influence rather than direct control?

If you want to emphasize influence, you can use phrases like "were influenced by" or "were shaped by" to suggest a less direct form of authority.

When is it appropriate to use "were controlled by" versus "were managed by"?

"Were controlled by" suggests a stronger degree of authority and regulation, whereas "were managed by" implies a more administrative or organizational role. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the relationship between the entities.

Is "were controlled by" always grammatically correct?

While grammatically correct, using "were controlled by" can sometimes lead to passive voice constructions that obscure agency. Ensure the sentence clearly communicates who or what is doing the controlling. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct.