were disallowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were disallowed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not permitted or allowed in the past. Example: "The participants were disallowed from using any electronic devices during the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Both claims were disallowed.

The New Yorker

The complaints were disallowed.

The New York Times

Two tries were disallowed for forward passes.

The Guardian - Sport

Their cars missed the minimum height requirement mandated by Nascar, and their times were disallowed.

The New York Times - Sports

In recent seasons, goals were disallowed because attackers accidentally stepped into the forbidden paint.

The New York Times - Sports

In Germany, the Wright claims were disallowed on the basis of prior disclosure.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Meanwhile, some schools were disallowing the use of backpacks at all.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It was disallowed, unclearly.

The Guardian - Sport

The goal was disallowed.

The Guardian - Sport

The protest was disallowed.

The New York Times - Sports

The default constructor is disallowed.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were disallowed" in formal writing to describe rules, regulations, or decisions that have been officially rejected or prohibited.

Common error

Avoid using "was disallowed" when referring to multiple items or actions. The plural form "were disallowed" should be used when the subject is plural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were disallowed" functions as a passive construction indicating that an action, request, or item did not receive permission or approval. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with standard English grammar, as seen in examples where goals, claims, or actions are refused.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were disallowed" functions as a grammatically correct passive construction, commonly employed to denote that something has been officially rejected or prohibited. According to Ludwig AI, this aligns with standard English grammar. Its usage spans several contexts, notably in news reports, scientific publications, and academic texts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Though alternatives like "were prohibited" or "were not permitted" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance and formality. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding who did the disallowing and the reasons behind it is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were prohibited

Replaces "disallowed" with a synonym indicating formal prohibition.

were forbidden

Similar to "prohibited", but carries a stronger connotation of being banned.

were not permitted

Uses a more polite and indirect way of expressing that something was not allowed.

were ruled out

Indicates that something was considered and then rejected.

were rejected

Focuses on the act of refusing or dismissing something.

were invalidated

Emphasizes the act of rendering something without legal or official force.

were deemed unacceptable

Highlights that something was considered not good enough or inappropriate.

were not authorized

Indicates a lack of official approval or permission.

were refused

A straightforward way of saying that a request or action was denied.

were turned down

An informal way to say something was rejected or refused.

FAQs

What does "were disallowed" mean?

The phrase "were disallowed" means that something was not permitted or allowed. It indicates that an action, item, or request was rejected or prohibited.

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

You can use "were disallowed" to describe situations where rules or regulations prevented something. For example, "The goals "were disallowed" due to offside." Or, "The claims "were disallowed" because of insufficient evidence."

What are some alternatives to "were disallowed"?

Alternatives to "were disallowed" include phrases such as "were prohibited", "were forbidden", or "were not permitted". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

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

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "was disallowed" with singular subjects (e.g., "The request was disallowed"). Use "were disallowed" with plural subjects (e.g., "The requests were disallowed").