were explored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were explored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing past actions or investigations that took place regarding a particular subject or topic. Example: "Various theories about climate change were explored in the recent study published in the journal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Barriers to use were explored.

Harvard University

Four protocols were explored.

Cryobiology

Several modifications were explored.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Other American archetypes were explored too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Timelines were discussed; possible lies were explored.

The New Yorker

Two contact configurations were explored.

Materials Science and Engineering: B

Optimization design rules were explored.

Microelectronics Journal

The second year, Pan African musical influences were explored.

The New York Times

Electronic communications and social networking tools were explored.

Cornell University

Multiple sets of sintering conditions were explored.

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

Four possible modifications were explored systematically.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were explored" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the subject being investigated rather than the actor doing the exploring.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive voice construction of "were explored" with an active voice construction if the emphasis should remain on the subject being investigated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were explored" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has undergone investigation or examination. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is commonly used to describe research, analysis, or assessment processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

Academia

20%

News & Media

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were explored" is a versatile and frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates past investigation or examination. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and prevalent in scientific, academic, and news contexts. Alternative phrases include "were investigated" and "were examined". Using "were explored" effectively involves understanding its emphasis on the subject being investigated and avoiding common errors in voice. Overall, "were explored" is a valuable tool for describing processes of discovery and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were investigated

Focuses on a more formal and structured examination.

were examined

Implies a detailed and careful inspection.

were studied

Highlights the act of conducting research and analysis.

were analyzed

Emphasizes the process of breaking down and interpreting data.

were researched

Stresses the systematic inquiry and gathering of information.

were assessed

Suggests an evaluation or appraisal of something.

were considered

Indicates that something was taken into account or thought about.

were tested

Emphasizes the process of experimentation and verification.

were surveyed

Implies a broad overview or sampling of information.

were probed

Highlights a deeper, more inquisitive search for information.

FAQs

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

"Were explored" is used to describe a past action where something was investigated. For example, "Several options "were explored" before a decision was made."

What are some alternatives to "were explored"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were investigated", "were examined", or "were studied".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were explored"?

The choice depends on the emphasis. Use passive voice ("were explored") when the focus is on what was investigated. Use active voice if you want to highlight who did the investigating.

What's the difference between "were explored" and "were discovered"?

"Were explored" implies an intentional investigation, while "were discovered" suggests finding something unintentionally. For example, "New lands "were explored" by the expedition", versus "New lands were discovered by accident".