were dispensed with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were dispensed with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of officially getting rid of something or ending a business relationship. For example: "The old rules and regulations were dispensed with and replaced with a new set of guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

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 former heads of the public media were dispensed with, and your party's members were put in charge.

The Washington Post

In shots where editing out only the woman was problematic, both men and women were dispensed with.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when it came to the political and media establishment, the usual niceties were dispensed with entirely.

The Guardian - Opinion

The implication is that if these were dispensed with, their communities' problems would disappear in one stroke.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Democracy was dispensed with.

The Economist

Most will be dispensed with.

The New York Times

American aid could be dispensed with.

The New York Times

This gratuity could have been dispensed with.

The New York Times

These callers are dispensed with quickly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were dispensed with", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed or eliminated and why. This phrase implies a deliberate decision or action.

Common error

Avoid using "were dispensed with" in very informal contexts. It's more suited to formal writing, news reports, or academic discussions. For casual conversations, consider using phrases like "got rid of" or "eliminated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were dispensed with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been removed or eliminated. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes the act of officially getting rid of something or ending a business relationship. The examples show it referring to rules, personnel, or even entire categories.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

29%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were dispensed with" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to indicate the formal removal or termination of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's often utilized in contexts requiring a professional or serious tone, such as news reports, scientific literature, and academic discussions. While versatile, its formality suggests it's less suitable for informal communication where alternatives like "got rid of" might be more appropriate. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, it conveys a deliberate action, highlighting a shift in policies or priorities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were eliminated

Focuses directly on the act of removal or eradication. This alternative removes the implication of formal procedures.

were removed

Emphasizes the physical or abstract taking away of something. Suggests a slightly broader range of contexts.

were abolished

Specifically implies the formal ending of a system, practice, or institution.

were terminated

Suggests a formal conclusion or end, often in a business or contractual sense.

were superseded

Implies replacement by something newer or more effective. Highlights the aspect of being replaced rather than merely removed.

were phased out

Indicates a gradual removal or discontinuation over time. Emphasizes the gradual nature of the process.

were gotten rid of

More informal alternative, suitable for less formal contexts. Loses some of the formality of "dispensed with".

were made redundant

Specifically refers to people or positions being removed due to lack of need, often in a business context.

were set aside

Implies that something was intentionally disregarded or reserved for future use. The intention is different from dispensing with something.

were scrapped

Suggests that something was discarded because it was broken or unusable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were dispensed with" is used to indicate that something has been removed or is no longer required. For example, "The old rules and regulations "were dispensed with" and replaced with a new set of guidelines."

What phrases are similar to "were dispensed with"?

Similar phrases include "were eliminated", "were removed", or "were abolished", each carrying slight differences in connotation and formality.

Is "were dispensed with" suitable for informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "were dispensed with" leans towards formal usage. In informal settings, alternatives such as "got rid of" or "eliminated" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "were dispensed with" and "were eliminated"?

"Were dispensed with" often suggests a formal process of removal, while ""were eliminated"" implies a more direct and straightforward act of removal, without necessarily involving formal procedures.