were designated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were designated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals or items that have been officially assigned a particular role, title, or purpose. Example: "The committee members were designated to oversee the project and ensure its successful completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Developers were designated and de-designated.

The New York Times

Some were designated saints.

The New Yorker

Under apartheid, desirable areas were designated "white".

The Economist

Those cases were designated "no-pay" cases.

The New York Times

12: They were designated protest zones.

The New York Times

Both were designated landmarks in 2004.

The New York Times

Both players were designated for assignment last week.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of the artists were designated Angie, John or Michael.

The New York Times - Arts

Other similar channels were designated as duplicates.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Transfectants were designated as UWV/NAT.

EJNMMI Research

Seven tests were designated as primary tests.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were designated" to clearly indicate an official assignment or naming of something, ensuring clarity and precision in formal writing. It clearly conveys an official action or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "were designated" in very informal contexts. It's more appropriate for official or formal settings, so consider using simpler alternatives like "were chosen" or "were picked" in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were designated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being assigned or named. Ludwig shows its widespread use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were designated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that conveys the formal assignment or naming of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is common in contexts such as news and science, maintaining a neutral to formal register. While suitable for official communications, it is advisable to consider simpler alternatives in very informal settings. Remembering these points will help you to use "were designated" effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were appointed

Focuses specifically on the act of being formally chosen or assigned to a position or role.

were assigned

Emphasizes the act of being given a particular task, duty, or role.

were named

Highlights the act of giving a specific title or name to something or someone.

were selected

Focuses on the process of choosing something or someone from a larger group.

were chosen

Similar to "were selected" but can imply a more deliberate or thoughtful decision.

were identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or pointing out something specific.

were classified

Emphasizes the act of categorizing something according to shared characteristics.

were labeled

Focuses on the act of attaching a label to something, indicating its nature or purpose.

were earmarked

Implies setting something aside for a specific purpose or recipient.

were stipulated

Suggests that something was specifically required or specified in an agreement or regulation.

FAQs

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

You can use "were designated" to describe something that has been officially chosen or assigned. For example, "The historical buildings "were designated" landmarks by the city council."

What can I say instead of "were designated"?

You can use alternatives like "were appointed", "were assigned", or "were named" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "were designated" in both formal and informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "were designated" is more suitable for formal contexts. In informal settings, consider using alternatives like "were chosen" or "were picked" for a more conversational tone.

What is the difference between "were designated" and "were selected"?

"Were designated" implies an official or formal assignment, while "were selected" simply means chosen from a group. "The committee members "were designated" to lead the project" suggests a formal appointment, whereas "The winners "were selected" based on their scores" indicates a choice based on merit.