were given

USAGE SUMMARY

"were given" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrasal verb is typically used when you are referring to something that someone was given in the past. For example: "The students were given their exam papers at 10 o'clock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

No figures were given.

The New York Times

No specifics were given.

The New York Times

We were given freedom.

The New Yorker

You were given refreshments.

The New Yorker

Door prizes were given out.

The New Yorker

Both were given minor penalties.

The New York Times - Sports

No new dates were given.

The New York Times

No additional details were given.

The New York Times

Lots more Bs were given.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some were giving birth.

The New York Times

No timeline is given.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were given" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the recipient of an action rather than the actor. For example, "The instructions were given to the participants" emphasizes the participants.

Common error

Avoid using "was given" when referring to a plural subject. For instance, it's incorrect to say "The students was given extra credit"; the correct form is "The students were given extra credit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were given" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received something from an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were given" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive construction, as verified by Ludwig AI. It is commonly used across various domains, including news, academia, and science, to denote the receipt of something without explicitly stating the giver. Related phrases like "received", "were granted", and "were provided with" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, and understanding potential errors like incorrect subject-verb agreement is crucial for effective writing. Remember, the phrase's neutrality makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, enhancing its broad applicability. Its frequent usage in authoritative sources ensures its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were granted

Implies a formal or official bestowal.

were provided with

Emphasizes the act of supplying or furnishing something.

were presented with

Highlights the act of formally offering something.

were furnished with

Similar to provided with but can imply equipping something more completely.

received

Focuses on the act of taking or accepting something.

were supplied with

Focuses on meeting a need or demand.

were allocated

Suggests a specific distribution or assignment of something.

were awarded

Implies recognition or merit in the act of giving.

were handed

A more informal way to say something was given, often directly.

were bequeathed

Implies something was formally left to someone in a will.

FAQs

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

Use "were given" to describe something provided or granted to a plural subject in the past. For example, "The actors "were given" new scripts before the show".

What are some alternatives to using "were given"?

Alternatives include "were granted", "were provided with", or "received", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was given" or "were given"?

"Were given" is used with plural subjects, while "was given" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The awards "were given"" is correct, but "The award was given" is appropriate when only one award is mentioned.

What's the difference between "were given" and "received"?

"Were given" implies someone else provided something. "Received" focuses on the act of taking or accepting something. Both can be used, but "were given" puts more emphasis on the giver, whereas "received" emphasizes the receiver.