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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
were generated
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'were generated' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when talking about something that happened in the past. For example: "The statistics were generated from data collected over the last year."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(20)
observed generated
have been born
have been strengthened
were undertaken
originated
have been practiced
have been suffered
have been attributed
have been appeared
were derived
have been revealed
yes generated
were carried out
have been tested
were formed
were developed
was generated
have been bred
were made
came into existence
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Slaves were generated in many ways.
Encyclopedias
Ten imputations were generated.
Science
Twenty realizations were generated.
Fifteen datasets were generated.
Science
Descriptive statistics were generated.
Science
17 formulations were generated.
Science
Offshore, rough seas were generated.
Wiki
Most opportunities, though, were generated by individuals.
News & Media
Other mutants were generated similarly.
Science
Three different founders were generated.
Science
Graphs were generated using Xmgrace [98].
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "were generated", ensure the subject performing the action is clearly implied or stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The reports were generated", specify "The reports were generated by the system".
Common error
Avoid using "were generated" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "Data were generated by the experiment", consider "The experiment generated data" if the experiment is the focus.
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "were generated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being created or produced. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in scientific, news, and general contexts.
Frequent in
Science
60%
News & Media
20%
Encyclopedias
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Wiki
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "were generated" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the creation or production of something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use across various domains. While versatile, it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. To maximize clarity, specify the agent responsible for the action. When a more direct and active voice is preferred, consider alternatives such as "were created" or "were produced". Remember to use "were" for plural subjects and "was" for singular subjects.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
were created
This alternative focuses on the act of bringing something into existence, similar to "were generated".
were produced
This alternative emphasizes the act of making or manufacturing something, often through a process.
were formed
This implies a coming into being or taking shape, often through natural processes or organization.
were developed
This suggests a gradual process of growth or evolution into a more advanced state.
were made
A simple and direct alternative, indicating the act of creating or constructing something.
were originated
This emphasizes the point of origin or beginning of something.
were derived
This indicates obtaining something from a source or origin.
were initiated
This alternative highlights the beginning or commencement of a process or action.
were spawned
This suggests a rapid or prolific generation, often used in biological or computational contexts.
were brought about
This implies causing something to happen or come into existence.
FAQs
How to use "were generated" in a sentence?
Use "were generated" to describe something that was created or produced in the past, often as a result of a process or action. For example, "The reports "were generated" automatically by the system".
What can I say instead of "were generated"?
You can use alternatives like "were created", "were produced", or "were formed" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.
Which is correct, "were generated" or "was generated"?
"Were generated" is used for plural subjects (e.g., reports, results), while "was generated" is used for singular subjects (e.g., report, result). For example, "The reports "were generated"" but "The report "was generated"".
What's the difference between "were generated" and "had been generated"?
"Were generated" indicates a past action or state, while "had been generated" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For instance, "The reports "were generated" yesterday", versus "The reports had been generated before the meeting began".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested