were formulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "were formulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has been established or set up, usually in a formal manner. For example, "The rules of the game were formulated in order to maintain order and fairness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These were formulated to test risk taking, competitiveness and cooperation.

The New York Times

Hypotheses were formulated from this.

Information & Management

Plans for the defense of the bay also were formulated.

Britannica

Classes were formulated to be entertaining as well as educational.

Stanford University

Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated.

Livestock Science

Four isonitrogen and isocaloric diets were formulated.

Livestock Science

Diets were formulated in four phases.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Seven hypotheses were formulated for verification.

Asian Journal of Psychiatry

All diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous.

Journal of Dairy Science

Regression models were formulated and tested.

Library Collections, Acquisitions, and Technical Services

Requirements for such decomposition were formulated.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were formulated" when you want to emphasize that ideas, plans, or rules have been carefully and deliberately created, often with a specific purpose or structure in mind.

Common error

Avoid using "were formulated" when the active voice is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The plan was formulated by the team", consider "The team formulated the plan."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were formulated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has undergone the action of being formulated. It typically highlights that something has been carefully and systematically created or expressed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were formulated" is a passive verb phrase commonly used to describe the structured and intentional creation of ideas, plans, or rules. Ludwig AI’s analysis, supported by numerous examples, confirms its prevalent use in scientific and academic contexts, although it also appears in news media. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's crucial to consider whether the active voice might be more direct and clear in certain situations. Alternatives such as "were developed", "were devised", and "were created" offer subtle nuances in meaning, allowing writers to select the most precise expression for their intended purpose. Choosing the right phrasing can improve clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were created

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence.

were developed

Emphasizes the gradual evolution and refinement of an idea or plan.

were devised

Highlights the ingenuity and inventiveness in creating something.

were established

Stresses the act of setting something up on a firm or permanent basis.

were constructed

Implies a more structured and methodical building process.

were designed

Focuses on the planning and intentionality behind the creation.

were drafted

Highlights the initial writing or outlining stage.

were conceived

Emphasizes the origination of an idea in the mind.

were put together

Suggests a collaborative or piecemeal assembly process.

were shaped

Focuses on the act of giving a particular form or structure to something.

FAQs

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

Use "were formulated" when describing how ideas, plans, or rules were carefully created. For example, "The hypotheses "were formulated" based on previous research."

What's the difference between "were formulated" and "were created"?

"Were formulated" implies a more deliberate and structured process of creation, often involving specific steps or rules. "Were created" is a more general term for bringing something into existence.

What can I say instead of "were formulated"?

You can use alternatives like "were developed", "were devised", or "were established" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use the passive voice with "formulated"?

No, the active voice can also be used (e.g., "The committee formulated the guidelines"). The passive voice with "were formulated" is useful when you want to emphasize the ideas themselves rather than the actor.