were forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were forgotten" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not remembered or acknowledged in the past. Example: "Many important details were forgotten during the meeting, leading to confusion later on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yankee imperialists were forgotten.

The Economist

And they were forgotten.

The New York Times

Battle buddies were forgotten.

The New York Times

The festivities were forgotten.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of them were forgotten.

The New York Times

"Out here, we were forgotten.

The New York Times

Anthems and memorials were forgotten.

The New York Times

Even his Oscars were forgotten.

The Guardian

All cute and cuddly things were forgotten.

Independent

Last season's triumphs and tragedies were forgotten.

The New York Times - Sports

All thoughts of hockey were forgotten.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "were overlooked" or "were neglected" when you want to emphasize that something didn't receive attention rather than simply not being remembered.

Common error

Avoid using "were forgotten" without a clear subject. For example, instead of writing "Details were forgotten", specify "Important details of the meeting were forgotten" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were forgotten" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being forgotten by someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were forgotten" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to express that something or someone has been overlooked or ceased to be remembered. Ludwig AI confirms this and indicates that its usage is considered correct. It's frequently encountered in contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science, as evident from the provided examples. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject of what was forgotten is explicit to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternative phrases like "were overlooked" or "were neglected" for subtly different connotations. While "were forgotten" is versatile, it's important to ensure accuracy with its usage, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unremembered

Directly implies a failure to recall or keep in memory.

were overlooked

Focuses on the act of not noticing or considering something.

faded from memory

Suggests a gradual loss of recollection.

were neglected

Emphasizes a lack of care or attention.

slipped into oblivion

Indicates a complete disappearance from awareness or concern.

were disregarded

Highlights a conscious decision to ignore something.

were consigned to oblivion

Suggests a deliberate act of causing something to be forgotten.

were left behind

Implies abandonment or being superseded.

passed into obscurity

Signifies a loss of fame or recognition.

were consigned to the past

Emphasizes that something is no longer relevant or considered.

FAQs

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

You can use "were forgotten" to describe something that was not remembered or acknowledged. For example, "Many important details "were overlooked" during the meeting, leading to confusion later on".

What's the difference between "were forgotten" and "were ignored"?

"Were forgotten" implies a lack of remembrance, while "were ignored" suggests a deliberate decision to disregard something. For example, "The safety warnings "were ignored"" indicates a conscious choice, whereas "The safety warnings "were forgotten"" suggests they were simply not remembered.

What can I say instead of "were forgotten"?

You can use alternatives like "were overlooked", "were neglected", or "were unremembered" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have been forgotten" instead of "were forgotten"?

Yes, "have been forgotten" is grammatically correct. "Were forgotten" is simple past passive, while "have been forgotten" is present perfect passive. The choice depends on the context and the intended timeframe.