were entertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were entertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where people were amused or engaged in an enjoyable activity in the past. Example: "The guests were entertained by the magician's impressive tricks throughout the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is one of their forms of entertainment, and they were entertained pretty good here".

The New York Times - Sports

But hopefully, the fans were entertained".

The New York Times - Sports

And many were entertained and edified by the air diet.

The New York Times

A place where countesses and princes and ambassadors were entertained.

The New York Times

On numerous occasions boys were entertained at the Castle".

The New York Times

It's not great, but there's no denying the fact that we were entertained.

The Guardian - Tech

Q. Did local residents take advantage of the resort? A. Local residents were entertained here, too.

The New York Times

The officers of his Group had all received special invitations & were entertained in high style.

The New Yorker

In terms of a contest, spectators were entertained for about 20 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

But readers were entertained by the page numbering because the titles used the Cumbrian language.

The Guardian

At the company's factory here, the employees who rolled the cigars were entertained by singers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal or legal contexts, use "were entertained" when referring to motions, ideas, or proposals that were formally taken into consideration by a body or committee.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "were entertained" when the subject is singular (e.g. 'The crowd were entertained' is acceptable in British English but 'The crowd was entertained' is standard in American English). Additionally, ensure you aren't using the passive voice when the active 'entertained' (e.g. 'The clown entertained the children') would make the sentence more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were entertained" functions as the passive voice form of the verb 'entertain'. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to indicate that a plural subject was the recipient of amusement, hospitality, or mental consideration in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki & General Knowledge

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academic Research

3%

Business Correspondence

1%

Science & Technology

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "were entertained" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe the experience of an audience or the formal consideration of ideas. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in high-tier news outlets, where it often describes social events, sports atmosphere, or historical visits (e.g. "officials were entertained at the Castle"). Whether you are writing about a gala or a board meeting, this phrase correctly conveys that the subjects were the passive recipients of either enjoyment or professional attention. It remains a staple of English narrative and reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were amused

Focuses specifically on the sense of being found something funny or pleasing.

were hosted

Emphasizes being received as a guest at a specific location or event.

were considered

Matches the sense of 'entertaining a proposal' or 'entertaining an idea' in a professional context.

were treated to

Often used when an audience is given a specific performance or meal.

were engaged

Focuses on the attention being held rather than just amusement.

were delighted

A more intense version of being entertained, implying strong positive emotion.

received hospitality

A more formal way to describe being taken care of as a guest.

were captivated

Suggests being deeply engaged or held by a performance or speaker.

found enjoyment

Shifts the focus from the passive recipient to the feeling experienced.

were regaled

A more literary term for being entertained with stories or food.

FAQs

How do I use "were entertained" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an audience's experience, such as "The guests "were entertained" by a jazz band throughout the dinner."

What is a more formal alternative to "were entertained"?

In the context of hospitality, you might say they "received hospitality", or if referring to an idea, that the proposals "were taken into consideration".

Can I use "were entertained" for business proposals?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "Several bids "were entertained" before the final decision was made", meaning they were received and considered.

What is the difference between "were entertained" and "were entertaining"?

The phrase ""were entertained"" is passive, meaning someone else provided the fun. Conversely, "were entertaining" is active, meaning the subjects themselves were the ones providing the amusement.