were defined

USAGE SUMMARY

"were defined" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that was already established or understood in the past. For example, "The rules of the game were defined."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These were defined as "obscene visual depictions".

The Guardian - Arts

The people, though, were defined by it.

The New Yorker

Waists and hips were defined, backs exposed.

The New York Times - Style

"They were defined as bad managers overseeing unsuccessful housing.

The New York Times

And Folau's tries were defined by two people.

The Guardian - Sport

They were defined by, and proud of, their flagrant weakness".

The Guardian - Books

Two roles were defined.

Applied Ergonomics

Two equivalent diameters were defined.

Additive Manufacturing

Three geotechnical zones were defined.

Journal of Cultural Heritage

Hardware projects were defined as any project requiring electronic components.

TechCrunch

Two basic effects were defined.

International Journal of Fatigue

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine with a suitable adverb to add a nuance to the definitions, for example use "were strictly defined", "were broadly defined" etc.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience knows the basis or context of the definition. Explicitly state the criteria or source used to define the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were defined" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a definition was provided for something. Ludwig AI explains that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

24%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were defined" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction used to indicate that a definition has been established. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and well-suited for various writing contexts. Its primary purpose is to ensure clarity by specifying the meaning of a term or concept, often seen in scientific, news, and formal business settings. For alternative expressions, consider "were established", "were determined", or "were characterized" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to state clearly who or what provided the definition to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were established

Focuses on the act of setting up or founding something, implying a more formal or official creation.

were determined

Emphasizes the process of finding out or deciding something, often after investigation or analysis.

were designated

Highlights the act of officially assigning a name or status to something.

were characterized

Focuses on describing the distinctive features or qualities of something.

were identified

Emphasizes the act of recognizing or discovering something specific.

were specified

Highlights the act of stating something clearly and in detail.

were stipulated

Focuses on the act of demanding or specifying something as part of an agreement.

were prescribed

Emphasizes the act of recommending or ordering something to be done or used.

were laid down

Focuses on the act of formally establishing rules or principles.

were formalized

Highlights the act of giving something a definite structure or form.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were defined" indicates that something was established or clarified in the past. For example, "The project goals "were defined" at the beginning of the quarter".

What are some alternatives to "were defined"?

Alternatives include "were established", "were determined", or "were characterized", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how something was defined?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The committee defined the terms") is often more direct and clear. However, the passive voice ("The terms "were defined" by the committee") is appropriate when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What's the difference between "were defined" and "became defined"?

"Were defined" suggests a specific point in the past when something was established. "Became defined", on the other hand, implies a gradual process of clarification or evolution, for example if something "became defined" by a series of court cases.