were dispensed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were dispensed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been distributed or given out, often in a formal or official context. Example: "The medication was dispensed to the patients after their consultations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last year, 3.3 billion prescriptions were dispensed.

The New York Times

Energy drinks were dispensed by young women.

The New York Times - Sports

In 2011, 5.3 million hormone and androgen drugs were dispensed.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, solder balls were dispensed on the UBM pads as a proof of concept.

Nature

Military historians say they were dispensed to German and British forces in World War II.

The New York Times

Glasses were dispensed to 82% of the patients having an eye test.

Nature

Elections were dispensed with in 1854, when the presidency was conferred upon him for life.

Britannica

The drier paths of Wymer's discipline and the rigours of fieldwork were dispensed with much humour.

The Guardian

The collected unsporulated oocysts (105oocysts/5 ml) were dispensed into 5 cm Petri dish.

Veterinary Parasitology

The room from which wool bathing suits were dispensed is empty.

The New York Times

Typically, the show's nuggets of wisdom were dispensed from a disembodied voice up above.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were dispensed" when you want to emphasize the action of formally distributing or providing something, especially in contexts involving prescriptions, medication, or official resources.

Common error

Avoid using "were dispensed" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "were given out" or "were handed out" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were dispensed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something was distributed or given out. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were dispensed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that signifies the act of formally distributing or providing something. Ludwig AI supports this, providing numerous examples across various authoritative sources. It's most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts, where it conveys an official or measured distribution. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. When aiming for formal or scientific tone in describing distribution of resources and/or medications, the selected phrasal choice is solid and recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were distributed

Focuses on the action of spreading out or allocating something among multiple recipients.

were administered

Emphasizes the formal or official act of giving or applying something, often medication or treatment.

were issued

Highlights the act of formally giving out or providing something, often documents or authorizations.

were provided

Stresses the act of making something available or supplying it to someone.

were allocated

Indicates the act of setting aside or designating something for a specific purpose or recipient.

were supplied

Focuses on the act of providing or furnishing something that is needed or required.

were given out

A more informal way of saying "were dispensed", implying a less formal distribution.

were handed out

Similar to "were given out" but suggests a more direct and personal distribution.

were served

Implies providing something, such as food or drinks, in a formal or organized manner.

were meted out

Suggests a carefully measured or controlled distribution, often of something negative like punishment or criticism.

FAQs

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

You can use "were dispensed" to describe the distribution of items, such as "The medications "were dispensed" to the patients" or "The supplies "were dispensed" to the refugees".

What are some alternatives to "were dispensed"?

Alternatives include "were distributed", "were issued", or "were provided", depending on the context.

Is "were dispensed" formal or informal?

"Were dispensed" is generally considered a formal term. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "were given out" or "were handed out".

What's the difference between "were dispensed" and "were administered"?

"Were dispensed" typically refers to the act of distributing or providing something, while "were administered" implies the act of formally giving or applying something, often medication or treatment. For example, medication is "dispensed" by a pharmacist and "administered" by a doctor or nurse.