were covered

USAGE SUMMARY

"were covered" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an action or state that occurred in the past and has since been completed or no longer applies. It is typically used with the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) followed by the past participle of another verb (covered). Example: The books were covered in dust from sitting on the shelf for so long.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shops were covered.

The New York Times

His receivers were covered.

The New Yorker

Or that were covered.

The Guardian

They were covered with flies.

The New York Times

But both receivers were covered.

The New York Times - Sports

They were covered with bloodstains.

The New Yorker

The hospital bills were covered.

The Washington Post

They were covered in tattoos.

The New York Times - Sports

They were covered with blood".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Her shins were covered in bruises.

The New Yorker

No left subclavian arteries were covered.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were covered", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is being protected or concealed. For instance, "The documents were covered in secrecy" clearly conveys that the secrecy protects the documents.

Common error

Avoid using "were covered by" when "were covered with" is more appropriate. "Covered by" typically refers to insurance or responsibility, while "covered with" describes a physical substance or layer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were covered" functions primarily as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being covered. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were covered" is a versatile passive verb construction, indicating that a subject has undergone the action of being covered. As verified by Ludwig, its use spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's crucial to consider the specific context to avoid ambiguity, particularly in choosing between "were covered by" and "were covered with". By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively employ "were covered" to clearly convey states of protection, concealment, or topic inclusion. The high frequency and varied usage patterns further solidify its importance in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been covered

Focuses on a past perfect action rather than a simple past, indicating the covering occurred before another past event.

had been concealed

Emphasizes the act of hiding something, altering the focus slightly from simple coverage.

were shielded

Highlights the protective aspect of being covered, implying a deliberate action to guard against something.

were coated

Suggests a layer of something applied to a surface, changing the nature of the covering.

were wrapped

Implies being enclosed or surrounded, adding a sense of containment.

were addressed

Shifts the meaning to topics being discussed or dealt with, a metaphorical covering.

were subject to

Indicates being under the influence or control of something, different from physical coverage.

were inclusive of

Emphasizes completeness

were encompassing

Focuses on something being totally embraced or surrounded.

were under wraps

Indicates secrecy or confidentiality rather than physical coverage.

FAQs

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

Use "were covered" to describe a past state of being protected, concealed, or addressed. For example, "The evidence "were covered" to maintain chain of custody" or "All points "were covered" in the meeting".

What's a good alternative to "were covered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had been concealed", "were shielded", or "were addressed".

Is it better to say "were covered by" or "were covered with"?

"Were covered by" and "were covered with" have different meanings. "Were covered by" often refers to being insured or protected by a policy, while "were covered with" describes a physical substance on a surface. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects your intended meaning.

How does the tense affect the meaning of "were covered"?

The past tense "were covered" indicates a completed action in the past. Using the past perfect "had been covered" emphasizes that the covering occurred before another past event. The choice depends on the specific timeline you want to convey.