were distributed among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were distributed among" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of dividing or sharing something among a group of people or entities. Example: "The funds were distributed among the various departments to ensure that each had the resources needed for their projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Otti's wives were distributed among Mr Kony's loyal lieutenants.

The Economist

Semen straws were distributed among dairies in three states.

Theriogenology

After that, they were distributed among the three systems evaluated.

Aquaculture

Apartments were distributed among those in charge of the nascent Communist project.

The New Yorker

They were distributed among ruling Party faithful, many of whom were inept or uninterested in farming.

The New Yorker

As expected, the Ashkenazi samples were distributed among various sub-E haplogroups24.

Nature

In the old-style City partnerships the profits were distributed among partners at the end of each year.

The Guardian - Business

(Harvard won, 14-6), & the remaining 537 were distributed among 17 preliminary events: 16 games on Fri.

The New Yorker

Then the lights came back on, and for a few minutes slices of the cake were distributed among the children.

The New Yorker

Wallace's publications were distributed among thousands of magazines and newspapers, and had never been collected together in one place.

The Guardian

This year, the day before a predicted temperature drop, over 40 tonnes of hay bales were distributed among the vines.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were distributed among", ensure the subject being distributed and the recipients are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what was divided and who received it. For example: "The resources were distributed among the team members."

Common error

A common error is using "were distributed among" without specifying a clear, finite group. Ensure the recipients are well-defined and not overly broad. For example, instead of "benefits were distributed among citizens", specify "benefits were distributed among eligible citizens" to narrow the scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were distributed among" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating the action of dividing or allocating something to multiple recipients. It's commonly used to describe how resources, items, or responsibilities are shared within a group, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were distributed among" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that indicates the division or allocation of something across multiple recipients. It's versatile, appearing in various contexts from scientific research to news reporting, though it leans towards a neutral to formal register. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a reliable choice for clear and objective communication. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that both the items being distributed and the recipients are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were allocated to

Focuses on the formal assignment of something to specific recipients or purposes.

were divided between

Highlights the act of splitting something into distinct parts among recipients.

were shared amongst

Emphasizes the collaborative nature of distributing something within a group.

were apportioned between

Suggests a careful and considered distribution based on specific criteria.

were disseminated to

Implies a widespread distribution, often of information or resources.

were assigned among

Similar to 'allocated', but can also imply a temporary or less formal assignment.

were spread across

Suggests a broader, less targeted distribution over a larger area or group.

were given out to

A more informal way of saying 'were distributed', often used in simpler contexts.

were split up between

Emphasizes the process of breaking something into smaller parts for distribution.

were dispensed to

Implies a controlled and regulated distribution, often of medication or resources.

FAQs

How do I use "were distributed among" in a sentence?

Use "were distributed among" to indicate that something was divided or shared among a group of people or items. For example, "The awards were distributed among the participants." Ensure that both the items being distributed and the recipients are clearly defined.

What can I say instead of "were distributed among"?

You can use alternatives like "were allocated to", "were divided between", or "were shared amongst" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "were distributed among" or "were distributed between"?

"Were distributed among" is used when referring to three or more recipients, while "were distributed between" is typically used for two recipients. For example, "The tasks were distributed among the team members" (more than two), versus "The tasks were distributed between John and Mary" (two).

What's the difference between "were distributed among" and "were disseminated to"?

"Were distributed among" suggests a deliberate act of dividing something amongst a specific group, while "were disseminated to" implies a broader, less targeted spreading of information or resources. "The pamphlets were distributed among the attendees" versus "The information was disseminated to the public".