were decreed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were decreed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where decisions, laws, or orders were formally announced or established in the past. Example: "The new regulations were decreed by the governing body to ensure public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The penalties were decreed in accordance with certain regulations.

Yale University

Days of prayer, fasting, and humiliation were decreed.

The New Yorker

New taxes were decreed and state monopolies on salt, iron, and wine were instituted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new powers were decreed under the state of emergency that Mr. Uribe enacted after taking office in August.

The New York Times

"A lot of really remote uninhabited islands were decreed national monuments in the last few years," Dr. Baum said.

The New York Times

The new voting rules were decreed by the emir using emergency powers six weeks before December's elections.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The sentence has been decreed.

The New York Times

Forgetting cannot be decreed.

The New York Times - Books

And it was what had been decreed.

The New York Times

Death was decreed for this Steppenwolf".

The Guardian - Books

So the punishment has already been decreed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, ensure the subject receiving the decree is clearly identified. For example, instead of just saying 'It was decreed', specify 'The new policy was decreed by the council'.

Common error

Avoid using "were decreed" in casual or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place in everyday conversation or relaxed contexts. Choose a simpler alternative like "were decided" or "were told" for informal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were decreed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a formal order, decision, or law was issued by an authority. The auxiliary verb "were" indicates the past tense and plural agreement, while "decreed" signifies the act of officially ordering or deciding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure adheres to standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were decreed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that emphasizes the formal and authoritative nature of a decision or order. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard grammar rules and is frequently found in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is plural, and it's appropriate for the level of formality required. Alternatives such as "were mandated" or "were ordered" can be used depending on the desired nuance, but it's important to avoid using "were decreed" in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were mandated

Replaces "decreed" with "mandated", emphasizing a formal requirement or obligation.

were ordered

Substitutes "decreed" with "ordered", highlighting a command or direction given.

were legislated

Replaces "decreed" with "legislated", indicating a formal law-making process.

were stipulated

Substitutes "decreed" with "stipulated", suggesting a specific condition or requirement was set.

were proclaimed

Replaces "decreed" with "proclaimed", emphasizing a formal public announcement.

were ruled

Substitutes "decreed" with "ruled", highlighting a judgment or decision made by an authority.

were prescribed

Replaces "decreed" with "prescribed", suggesting a rule or guideline was established.

were enacted

Substitutes "decreed" with "enacted", highlighting the process of making a law or regulation effective.

were ordained

Replaces "decreed" with "ordained", suggesting a formal or religious decree.

were dictated

Substitutes "decreed" with "dictated", highlighting an authoritative command.

FAQs

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

Use "were decreed" to indicate that something has been officially ordered or decided. For example, "The new taxes "were decreed" by the government" or "Days of prayer "were decreed" during the crisis".

What can I say instead of "were decreed"?

You can use alternatives like "were mandated", "were ordered", or "were stipulated" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "was decreed" is for singular subjects, while "were decreed" is for plural subjects. For example, "The law was decreed" (singular) versus "The new rules were decreed" (plural).

What is the difference between "were decreed" and "were established"?

"Were decreed" implies a formal order or authoritative decision, while "were established" suggests a more general creation or setting up of something. For example, "The holidays "were decreed"" emphasizes authority, whereas "The guidelines "were established"" focuses on the creation process.