were covered with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were covered with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a layer or coating of another substance or material. Example: "The old book was covered with dust, indicating it hadn't been touched in years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were covered with flies.

The New York Times

They were covered with bloodstains.

The New Yorker

Waterlogged cars were covered with muck.

The New York Times - Sports

Nearby walls were covered with graffiti tributes.

The New York Times

Their faces were covered with black cloth.

The New Yorker

These beds were covered with matting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were covered with blood".

The Guardian

People were covered with dust and debris".

The Guardian

People were covered with debris and glass.

The New York Times

The sheets were covered with paint".

The New York Times

"The walls were covered with mold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were covered with", ensure the subject and object of the phrase are logically connected. For instance, "The ground was covered with snow" makes sense, whereas "The idea was covered with snow" requires a metaphorical context.

Common error

Avoid using "were covered with" in abstract contexts where a more precise verb would be appropriate. Instead of "The meeting was covered with complaints", try "The meeting involved many complaints".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were covered with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being covered. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a standard grammatical construction and is broadly applicable across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were covered with" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the state of something being overlaid or coated. As Ludwig AI indicates, it enjoys widespread use across various registers and is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure logical subject-object relationships and consider alternative expressions like "were coated in" or "were blanketed with" for nuanced meanings. It's advisable to avoid using "were covered with" in abstract contexts where more precise verbs might be more appropriate. Based on the analysis and the examples provided, "were covered with" remains a common and effective phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were coated in

Replaces "covered" with "coated", implying a thin layer.

were layered with

Replaces "covered" with "layered", suggesting multiple coverings.

were blanketed with

Replaces "covered" with "blanketed", suggesting a thick and even covering.

were cloaked in

Replaces "covered" with "cloaked", implying a more dramatic or concealing covering.

were draped in

Replaces "covered" with "draped", suggesting a loose and flowing covering.

were dusted with

Suggests a very fine and light covering, like powder.

were sprinkled with

Suggests a light and scattered covering.

were saturated with

Suggests a complete absorption or permeation by something.

were topped with

Suggests something placed on the very top.

were filled with

Indicates that the content has taken over and filled the space.

FAQs

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

Use "were covered with" to describe something that has a layer or coating of another substance or material. For example, "The streets "were covered with" fallen leaves after the storm."

What are some alternatives to "were covered with"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "were coated in", "were layered with", or "were blanketed with".

Is it correct to say "was covered with" instead of "were covered with"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was covered with" for singular subjects (e.g., "The table was covered with a cloth"), and "were covered with" for plural subjects (e.g., "The tables "were covered with" cloths").

What is the difference between "were covered with" and "were filled with"?

"Were covered with" implies an external layer or coating, while "were filled with" suggests that something is completely occupying the interior space. For example, "The box "was covered with" stickers" versus "The box was filled with toys".