were determined

USAGE SUMMARY

"were determined" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a decision or choice that has been made. For example: After careful consideration, the board members were determined to create a new policy.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they were determined.

The New York Times

They were determined.

Independent

Faces were determined and emotional.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We were determined," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Their concentrations were determined spectroscopically.

Nature

Anaphylactic reactions were determined.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

We were determined not to lose.

Independent

"We were determined to enjoy it.

The New York Times - Sports

Fortunately for Topman, they were determined investigators.

The New Yorker

They were determined not to go home".

The New York Times - Sports

(Team finishes were determined by cumulative times).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were determined" to convey a sense of resolve, a conclusion reached after consideration, or a measurement that has been accurately established.

Common error

Ensure subject-verb agreement; use "were determined" for plural subjects and "was determined" for singular subjects to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were determined" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has been decided, ascertained, or fixed by an external agent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were determined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase across diverse contexts, as validated by Ludwig. It effectively communicates that a conclusion has been reached, a measurement established, or a decision finalized. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related content, its register remains generally neutral. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, reinforcing its reliability in written English. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were resolute

Emphasizes the firmness and unwavering nature of their decision.

were intent

Highlights a strong intention or purpose.

had been decided

Focuses on the decision-making aspect, emphasizing that a conclusion was reached.

were set

Focuses on having a fixed or prepared state of mind.

had been ascertained

Highlights the process of finding something out definitively, moving the emphasis from resolution to discovery.

were bound

Highlights a sense of obligation or inevitability in their determination.

were resolved

Shifts the focus to the successful completion of a problem or dispute.

were driven

Emphasizes the force or motivation behind their actions.

were conclusive

Indicates that the evidence or decision was final and left no room for doubt.

were established

Emphasizes something being set up or founded, a more passive sense of determination.

FAQs

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

You can use "were determined" to indicate that a decision was made, a value was ascertained, or an action was resolved. For example, "The results "were determined" after careful analysis".

What are some alternatives to saying "were determined"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were resolved", "were ascertained", or "had been decided".

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was determined" for singular subjects (e.g., "the outcome was determined") and "were determined" for plural subjects (e.g., "the outcomes "were determined"").

What is the difference between "were determined" and "were resolute"?

"Were determined" implies a process of finding something out or making a decision, while "were resolute" suggests a firm and unwavering commitment to a course of action. The first indicates a conclusion, and the second, a state of mind.