were handed in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were handed in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was submitted or delivered, typically in a formal or academic context. Example: "All assignments were handed in by the deadline to ensure timely grading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

As the weapons were handed in, Parliament was to ratify constitutional changes agreed to by party leaders in August at the lakeside resort of Ohrid.

The New York Times

When stories came in on the teletypes from other parts of the world or by cable or were handed in by the bureau's reporters, those of us on the desk would edit it or rewrite the stories as necessary.

Huffington Post

No Bacillus anthracis spores were detected in the samples of heroin that were handed in by the patient's relative.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The internal validity in the VAS-IBS was high, since all items in the VAS-IBS questionnaires, which were handed in, were completed, and no data were missing.

BMC Gastroenterology

Since it was not possible to ensure complete anonymity of the diaries (we needed the ward and the time period of diary completion for calculation of the workload index, see above), we were obliged to ensure that diaries were handed in on a strictly voluntary basis.

BMC Medical Education

Annual dividends will be 87p per share, an improvement on the 78p that investors were handed in 2014.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Essays should be handed in at the end.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Make sure all assignments are handed in on time.

WikiHow

"People were handing in their notice every week," she says.

The Guardian - Money

It has to be written before it is handed in.

The Guardian

Food is being handed in over the garden railings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were handed in" to clearly indicate that items or documents were formally submitted or delivered, especially when a degree of formality is implied.

Common error

Avoid using "were handed in" in very informal contexts; opt for more casual alternatives like "were turned in" or "were given" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were handed in" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action (handing in) was performed upon a subject. This grammatical structure is used to emphasize the receiver of the action rather than the doer. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes that something has been submitted or delivered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were handed in" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase, predominantly found in news, media and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for indicating that something was submitted or delivered, typically in a formal context. When writing, consider the level of formality required and opt for more casual alternatives like "were turned in" for everyday situations. This phrase serves to report the completion of a submission process, emphasizing the receiver of the action rather than the doer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were submitted

Emphasizes the formal act of submitting documents or items.

were turned in

A more informal alternative, commonly used in educational or everyday contexts.

were delivered

Focuses on the act of transferring something to a specific location or person.

were presented

Highlights the act of formally showing or offering something.

were provided

Emphasizes the act of making something available.

were given

A general term for transferring possession of something.

were lodged

Implies a formal placement or depositing of something, often documents.

were filed

Specifically refers to the act of placing documents in an official record.

were rendered

Suggests a more formal or technical delivery, often of services or judgments.

were passed in

An alternative focusing on the action of passing something to someone or a group.

FAQs

What does "were handed in" mean?

The phrase "were handed in" means that something was submitted or delivered, often in a formal or official manner. It implies a transfer of items or documents to a recipient or authority.

What can I say instead of "were handed in"?

You can use alternatives like "were submitted", "were turned in", or "were delivered" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "were handed in"?

It's appropriate to use "were handed in" in contexts where a formal submission is implied, such as turning in assignments, submitting official documents, or delivering evidence to authorities.

Is "were handed in" grammatically correct?

Yes, "were handed in" is grammatically correct. It is the passive voice construction of the verb "hand in", indicating that something was given or submitted by someone.