were hidden

USAGE SUMMARY

"were hidden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was previously concealed. For example: "The treasures were hidden beneath the sea for hundreds of years until their discovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The mountains were hidden".

The New York Times - Books

The heroics were hidden.

The New York Times

Other weapons were hidden in mailboxes.

The New York Times

For decades they were hidden away.

The Economist

Many disgusting items were hidden from sight.

The Guardian

Vistas appear that were hidden all summer behind forest foliage.

The New York Times - Travel

The fuss and the vulgarity were hidden away.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

They were hiding out".

The New York Times

"Most were hiding.

The New York Times

The lessons are hidden.

The New Yorker

"Those shoes are hidden.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were hidden", ensure that the subject performing the hiding and the object being hidden are clearly defined in your sentence. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were hidden" when the context requires a different tense. For instance, if you're describing an ongoing situation, "are being hidden" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were hidden" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a state where something has been concealed or put out of sight. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as objects hidden or information kept secret.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Huffington Post

3%

Vice

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were hidden" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase employed to describe a past action of concealment. Ludwig AI validates this, and the provided examples showcase its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "were concealed" or "were obscured" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. When using "were hidden", ensure clarity regarding the subject and object, and be mindful of tense agreement. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing secrecy, discovery, or the state of being out of sight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were concealed

This alternative maintains a very high level of similarity, focusing on the act of hiding something intentionally.

were obscured

This phrase highlights the idea of something being difficult to see or understand due to some obstruction.

were masked

This suggests that something was covered up or disguised, often to prevent it from being recognized.

were cloaked

This implies a covering that conceals something, often used figuratively.

were shrouded

Similar to 'cloaked', but often suggests a mysterious or ominous covering.

were kept secret

This alternative emphasizes the deliberate act of withholding information.

were unrevealed

Highlights the state of something not being disclosed or made known.

remained unseen

Focuses on the lack of visibility, whether intentional or not.

were out of sight

This alternative emphasizes the physical absence from view.

were not visible

A straightforward way of saying that something could not be seen.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were hidden" is used to indicate that something was placed out of sight or kept secret in the past. For example, "The jewels "were hidden" in the attic during the war".

What are some alternatives to "were hidden"?

Alternatives include "were concealed", "were obscured", or "were masked". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

The correct form depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "was hidden" for a singular subject (e.g., "The key was hidden") and "were hidden" for a plural subject (e.g., "The keys were hidden").

What's the difference between "were hidden" and "were hiding"?

"Were hidden" indicates a passive state where something was concealed by someone or something else. "Were hiding" implies an active state of concealing oneself or something else (e.g., "The children were hiding in the closet").