were directed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were directed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where actions were guided or instructed by someone or something in the past. Example: "The participants were directed to follow the safety protocols during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

All the questions were directed to her.

The New Yorker

His campaigns were directed mostly against Syria.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both men were directed to collaborate together.

The New Yorker

Because they were directed not to look?

The Guardian - Opinion

All experiments were directed by Guoshi Liu.

Nature

Both these were directed by Mr HenryJ.

The Guardian - Music

And only 7 per cent were directed by women.

Independent

All these activities were directed toward popularizing paleontology.

University of California, Berkeley

Others were directed to concentrate on information they were sharing.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The shortcuts were directed by managers in some cases..."...

Huffington Post

All eight were directed by Spike Lee.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were directed" in contexts where it's important to emphasize that actions were guided or controlled by an external source or authority. This passive construction is especially useful in formal reports or instructions.

Common error

Ensure that the agent doing the directing is clear, either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context, to avoid ambiguity. Without a clear subject, the sentence can become vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were directed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received instructions or guidance from an external source. Ludwig shows numerous examples across various contexts where this phrase is used to denote actions being influenced or controlled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were directed" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that actions or instructions were given by an external source. As Ludwig confirms, it's frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify who or what did the directing. Alternatives include "were instructed" or "were guided", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to consider the context and desired emphasis when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were instructed

Highlights the act of giving instructions, similar in formality.

were ordered

Indicates a command or authoritative direction.

were guided

Emphasizes assistance and support in navigation or action.

received instructions

Focuses on the receipt of guidance rather than the act of directing.

were led

Suggests leadership and influence in guiding actions.

were advised

Stresses the provision of advice or recommendations.

were managed

Implies control and oversight in the execution of tasks.

were shown

Highlights the act of showing or demonstrating the correct way.

were referred

Indicates a redirection or referral to another source or location.

were assigned

Focuses on the allocation of tasks or responsibilities.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were directed" indicates that actions or instructions were given by someone or something. For example, "The participants "were directed" to the registration desk" or "All resources "were directed" towards the project."

What are some alternatives to "were directed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were instructed", "were guided", or "were ordered". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize guidance, instruction, or a command.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "direct"?

It depends on the context. Active voice (e.g., "The manager directed the team") emphasizes the actor. Passive voice ("The team "were directed" by the manager") emphasizes the recipient of the action. Choose the voice that best suits your focus.

What's the difference between "were directed to" and "were directed at"?

"Were directed to" indicates a destination or action, such as "They "were directed to" the meeting room". "Were directed at" implies a target or focus, such as "The criticisms "were directed at" the policy".