were dropped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were dropped' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb 'to drop' and refers to the action of something being released or falling. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a physical object being dropped, or figuratively to indicate a decrease or removal of something. Example: Due to budget cuts, several programs were dropped from the school's curriculum.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both were dropped.

The Economist

Several calls were dropped.

The New York Times - Magazine

All charges were dropped.

The New York Times

The plans were dropped.

Independent

(The charges were dropped).

The New York Times - Books

(Those charges were dropped).

The New York Times

Other charges were dropped.

The New York Times

The kidnapping charges were dropped.

The New York Times - Sports

Balls were dropped.

The Guardian - Sport

Both charges were dropped.

The New York Times

The vampires were dropped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were dropped" to indicate the passive voice, emphasizing that something was acted upon rather than performing an action. For example, "The charges were dropped due to lack of evidence" focuses on the charges, not who dropped them.

Common error

Avoid using "were dropped" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. Instead of "Mistakes were dropped by the team", write "The team made mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were dropped" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action. Ludwig examples show this in contexts where charges, plans, or items are being discontinued or removed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were dropped" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction, used to indicate that something has been discontinued, dismissed, or abandoned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news and media, academic writing, and wiki content. When writing, consider the context to ensure the passive voice is the most appropriate choice; otherwise, active voice alternatives may provide a more direct and engaging style. Common alternatives include phrases such as "were discontinued", "were dismissed", or "were abandoned". Be mindful of the subject you are describing, as it must be plural to use "were dropped" correctly. Ignoring this could lead to grammatical mistakes in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were discontinued

Focuses on the cessation or termination of something, rather than a sudden release.

were dismissed

Highlights the rejection or removal of something, often implying a lack of importance.

were abandoned

Emphasizes the idea of something being left behind or forsaken.

were released

Suggests the act of making something available, sometimes unexpectedly.

were withdrawn

Indicates the removal of something, typically after it was initially presented or offered.

were terminated

Implies a formal ending or conclusion of something.

were eliminated

Highlights the complete removal of something, often to improve efficiency.

were excluded

Focuses on the act of preventing something from being included or considered.

were shelved

Indicates the postponement or indefinite suspension of something.

were scrapped

Suggests the complete abandonment or destruction of something, often due to its lack of value.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were dropped" is used to indicate that something was discontinued or dismissed. For example, "The charges "were dropped" due to insufficient evidence" or "The project requirements "were dropped" due to budget constraints".

What are some alternatives to "were dropped"?

Alternatives to "were dropped" include "were discontinued", "were dismissed", or "were abandoned", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were dropped"?

Yes, "were dropped" is grammatically correct. It is the past passive form of the verb "to drop", indicating that something was subjected to the action of being dropped.

What is the difference between "were dropped" and "was dropped"?

"Were dropped" is used with plural subjects, while "was dropped" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The charges were dropped" (plural) versus "The case was dropped" (singular).