were easily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were easily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was done with little difficulty in the past. Example: "The tasks were easily completed by the team, thanks to their preparation and teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were easily reconciled.

The Guardian - Books

Two were easily led.

The New York Times - Arts

Those protests were easily quashed.

The New York Times

Some requests were easily rejected.

The Economist

The shareholder resolutions were easily defeated.

The Guardian

So American ports were easily blockaded.

The New York Times - Arts

There were easily a hundred kinds.

The New Yorker

And vulnerable composition students were easily intimidated.

The New York Times - Arts

Smashed tree boughs were easily snaked through.

The New Yorker

Little girls, in particular, were easily charmed.

The New York Times

Yet they were easily his best.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were easily" when you want to emphasize the lack of difficulty or effort involved in a past action or state. This phrase is especially effective when contrasting the ease of something with an expected challenge or difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "were easily" as a filler phrase. Ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the action was easy. Simply stating something "were easily" done without providing supporting information weakens the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were easily" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the manner in which an action was performed or a state was achieved. It modifies a verb, specifying that something happened without significant difficulty. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were easily" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to indicate that something was accomplished without difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing styles. To ensure effective communication, use "were easily" when you want to stress the lack of effort required and avoid overusing it without sufficient supporting context. Consider alternatives like "were readily" or "were simply" for nuanced expressions. Understanding these subtleties will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were readily

Emphasizes the immediate availability or accessibility, shifting focus to the state of being prepared.

were simply

Highlights the straightforward nature of the action, reducing complexity.

were effortlessly

Stresses the lack of effort required, focusing on the smoothness of the action.

were smoothly

Indicates a lack of friction or impediments in the process.

were comfortably

Highlights the ease and pleasantness associated with the action.

were quickly

Focuses on the speed at which something was accomplished.

were handily

Emphasizes the ease and efficiency of the achievement.

were uncomplicatedly

Highlights the lack of complexity, focusing on the simple nature of the action.

were straightforwardly

Indicates a lack of ambiguity or complication in the process.

were conveniently

Emphasizes the ease and practicality of the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "were easily" to describe how something was accomplished without much difficulty in the past, like "The problems "were easily fixed"" or "The instructions "were easily understood"".

What can I say instead of "were easily"?

Alternatives to "were easily" include "were readily", "were simply", or "were effortlessly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "were easily" or "was easily"?

"Were easily" is used with plural nouns or pronouns, while "was easily" is used with singular nouns or pronouns. For example, "The tasks "were easily completed"" (plural) versus "The task "was easily completed"" (singular).

What's the difference between "were easily" and "could easily be"?

"Were easily" describes a completed action in the past with little difficulty. "Could easily be" describes a potential future action or a hypothetical situation, suggesting something is likely to happen or is capable of happening without much difficulty. For example, "They "were easily defeated"" (past) versus "They "could easily be defeated"" (potential).