were established

USAGE SUMMARY

"were established" is a perfectly correct and common phrase in written English.
It is used as the past tense form of the verb "to establish," meaning to create or introduce something. Here is an example sentence: "The rules of the game were established before the players began their match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These routes were established on September 9, 1938.

Wikipedia

Professional leagues were established.

The New Yorker

Traditions were established.

The New York Times - Sports

Twitter accounts were established.

The New York Times

Gradually, temple schools were established.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sides were established.

The Washington Post

Headquarters were established in Moscow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unwritten rules also were established.

Britannica

In the marches, local governments were established.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Diplomatic relations were established with many countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fixed dates were established for trials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were established", ensure the subject clearly indicates what entities or systems were created or confirmed. Clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was established" when referring to multiple entities. The plural verb "were" must agree with a plural subject. For example, it is correct to say "New rules were established" not "New rules was established".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were established" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received the action of being created, founded, or instituted. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it's a common way to express that rules, organizations, or systems came into being through a specific action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were established" is a very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that something has been created or instituted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent occurrence across diverse contexts, from news and encyclopedias to scientific and academic writing. While grammatically straightforward, remember to use it with plural subjects to maintain agreement. Alternatives like "were created" or "were founded" can be used for variety, but "were established" remains a reliable and versatile choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were created

Changes the verb to "created", emphasizing the act of bringing something into existence.

were founded

Replaces "established" with "founded", highlighting the initial setting up of something.

were instituted

Uses "instituted" instead of "established", suggesting a more formal or official establishment.

were formed

Substitutes "established" with "formed", focusing on the coming together or shaping of something.

were initiated

Replaces "established" with "initiated", emphasizing the beginning or start of something.

were implemented

Uses "implemented" instead of "established", focusing on putting a plan or system into effect.

were enacted

Substitutes "established" with "enacted", typically used for laws or regulations.

were set up

Replaces "established" with the phrasal verb "set up", providing a more informal alternative.

came into being

Offers a more descriptive alternative to "were established", emphasizing the beginning of existence.

were brought into existence

Emphasizes the act of something being created or started.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were established" indicates that something was created or started. For instance, "The guidelines "were established" to ensure fair treatment" shows the creation of guidelines.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "were established"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were created", "were founded", or "were instituted" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was established" instead of "were established"?

"Was established" is used with singular subjects, while "were established" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The company was established" is correct for a single company, but "The companies "were established"" is correct for multiple companies.

What is the difference between "were established" and "were implemented"?

"Were established" refers to the creation or founding of something, while "were implemented" refers to putting a plan or system into effect. For example, policies "were established" (created), and then those policies "were implemented" (put into practice).