were forwarded

USAGE SUMMARY

"were forwarded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of sending something on or moving something ahead. For example, "The documents were forwarded to the boss for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their cases were forwarded to Jon Thompson, HMRC chief executive, by Field.

The Guardian

The problems reported by customers were forwarded to Icon, Mr. Wertz said.

The New York Times

Kelly suggested a number of specific changes, which were forwarded to the Cabinet Office.

The New Yorker

The results of the tests were forwarded to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for analysis.

The New York Times - Sports

These cases were forwarded to the Army surgeon general for review, the report summary said.

The New York Times

The e-mail messages that were forwarded to Mr. Silver's office were dated between November 2003 and January 2005.

The New York Times

Since July 28, the State Police received 19 text-messaged tips, four of which were forwarded to other police departments.

The New York Times

After the letter and tape were received, they were forwarded to the Marine Corps' inspector general, Brig.

The New York Times

Files were forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal, Scotland's prosecution service, but it was decided not to prosecute.

The Guardian

Once the documents were in Washington, they were forwarded by the C.I.A. to the Pentagon, he said.

The New Yorker

Afterward, all Topo.com links were forwarded on to AllTrails instead.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were forwarded", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what initiated the forwarding and to whom or where the items were sent. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were forwarded" without specifying who performed the action. For example, instead of "The email were forwarded", specify "The emails were forwarded by the administrator" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were forwarded" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action of sending something onward was performed on the subject. The subject received the action of forwarding, as shown by Ludwig in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were forwarded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase indicating that something has been sent on to another party. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, from formal reports and news articles to scientific papers. When using "were forwarded", ensure clarity by specifying both the sender and recipient for maximum impact. While alternatives like "were transmitted" and "were passed on" exist, "were forwarded" remains a reliable and versatile choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were transmitted

This alternative emphasizes the process of sending or conveying information or items.

were conveyed

This alternative suggests a formal and deliberate communication or transfer.

were passed on

This option suggests a less formal transfer, often implying a casual relay of information.

were sent along

This option indicates a simple and direct transfer to the next destination.

were submitted

This alternative implies a formal presentation or delivery for consideration.

were directed

This implies that the items or information were sent to a specific place or person intentionally.

were dispatched

This option emphasizes the sending of something, often with a sense of urgency or official action.

were referred

This suggests that the items or people were sent to another person or group for a specific purpose, such as evaluation or assistance.

were routed

This implies a specific path or direction was taken during the transfer process.

were deferred

This alternative implies a delay in handling before being sent further.

FAQs

How is "were forwarded" used in a sentence?

The phrase "were forwarded" indicates that something was sent on to another person or place. For example, "The documents "were forwarded" to the legal team for review".

What are some alternatives to using "were forwarded"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were transmitted", "were passed on", or "were sent" instead of "were forwarded".

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

"Was forwarded" is used for singular subjects, while "were forwarded" is used for plural subjects. For instance, "The message was forwarded" is correct, but "The messages "were forwarded"" is also correct.

What is the difference between "were forwarded" and "were transferred"?

"Were forwarded" usually implies sending something to another recipient or location, whereas "were transferred" typically suggests moving something from one place to another. For example, documents can be ""were forwarded"" to a supervisor, and funds can be "were transferred" to another account.