were given out

USAGE SUMMARY

'were given out' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been distributed to people or places. Example: Tickets for the concert were given out to those who had registered early.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mutilated fingers and ears were given out as gory mementos.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pucks were given out after the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. McMahon's campaign buttons were given out at the exits.

The New York Times

The Critics' Week prizes were given out yesterday to Paulina and Land and Shade.

The Guardian - Film

Others were denied promotions that were given out to less-qualified men.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Previews even have their own awards, the Golden Trailers. This year's were given out last Friday).

The New York Times

When a few food packs were given out, the distribution turned into a riot.

The New Yorker

No invitations were given out at the meeting, but officials were optimistic.

The New York Times - Sports

The words were given out by one of them, and the rest joined the chorus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I don't feel, as far as we know now, that any political favors were given out".

The New York Times

Following the holiday tradition, candy and other goodies were given out on October 30 to those in Halloween costume.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were given out" in the passive voice to emphasize the action of distributing rather than the actor performing the distribution. For example, "The pamphlets were given out to attendees" focuses on the distribution, not who distributed them.

Common error

Ensure the verb "were" agrees with a plural subject. If the subject is singular, use "was given out" instead. For example, it's correct to say, "Tickets were given out", but incorrect to say, "Ticket were given out."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were given out" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something was distributed or allocated. As noted by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

23%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were given out" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction to describe the distribution or allocation of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in scientific publications. While versatile, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider more nuanced alternatives like "were distributed" or "were issued" to more precisely convey the intended meaning. Using the phrase effectively requires attention to the specific context and intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were distributed

This alternative directly replaces "given out" with a synonym emphasizing the act of spreading something among a group.

were handed out

This suggests a more personal or direct method of distribution, like physically passing items to individuals.

were allocated

This highlights the act of assigning something, often in a formal or controlled manner.

were presented

Implies a formal offering or showcasing of something, often awards or honors.

were dispensed

This suggests a controlled or measured distribution, often used for medications or resources.

were issued

Commonly used when distributing official documents, permits, or statements.

were provided

A general term for supplying something, focusing on the act of making something available.

were awarded

Specifically used when granting prizes, honors, or scholarships.

were supplied

Similar to provided, but suggests a more continuous or ongoing provision.

were shared

Highlights the act of dividing something among multiple recipients, often implying generosity.

FAQs

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

You can use "were given out" to describe the distribution of items or information. For example, "Flyers "were handed out" before the concert" or "Prizes "were awarded" at the ceremony".

What is a good alternative to "were given out"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were distributed", ""were handed out"", or "were issued". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was given out" instead of "were given out"?

The choice between "was" and "were" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "was given out" with a singular subject (e.g., "A prize was given out"), and "were given out" with a plural subject (e.g., "Prizes were given out").

What's the difference between "were given out" and "were distributed"?

"Were given out" is a more general term for providing something, while "were distributed" often implies a more organized or widespread allocation. The phrases are often interchangeable, but "were distributed" can suggest a larger scale.