were identified

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "were identified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that something has been identified or recognized. For example: "Several new species of bird were identified in the park this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No individuals were identified.

The Guardian

None were identified.

The New York Times

No suspects were identified.

The New York Times

Few people were identified.

The Washington Post

None of victims were identified.

The New York Times

No other suspects were identified.

The New York Times

They were identified as Sgts.

The New York Times

No provocateurs were identified, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three regions were identified.

Combustion and Flame

Ten PFTs were identified.

Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants

Fifty publications were identified.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were identified" to indicate a clear and established recognition of something. Ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was identified" when referring to multiple subjects. "Was identified" is singular, while "were identified" is plural. Ensure your verb agrees with the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were identified" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being recognized or ascertained. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to report findings or discoveries in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were identified" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something has been recognized or ascertained, as confirmed by Ludwig. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts, signifying its broad applicability in formal and neutral communication. When using this phrase, ensure correct subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy. Alternatives such as "were recognized", "were detected", and "were discovered" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context. Remember to select the alternative that best reflects the intended meaning and the nature of the discovery or recognition being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were recognized

Emphasizes the act of noticing or acknowledging something that was previously unknown or unclear.

were detected

Highlights the process of discovering something, often through specific methods or technology.

were discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something unexpectedly or after a period of searching.

were ascertained

Implies a careful and thorough process of finding something out for certain.

were determined

Highlights that something was decided upon after consideration or investigation.

were established

Suggests that something has been proven or validated, often through evidence.

were classified

Focuses on the act of categorizing or sorting something into a particular group or system.

were pinpointed

Implies locating something with great precision.

were uncovered

Suggests a process of revealing something that was hidden or not easily apparent.

were designated

Emphasizes the act of formally assigning a specific role or function.

FAQs

How to use "were identified" in a sentence?

Use "were identified" to indicate that multiple items, people, or aspects have been recognized or discovered. For example, "The key issues "were identified" during the meeting."

What can I say instead of "were identified"?

You can use alternatives like "were recognized", "were detected", or "were discovered" depending on the context.

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

No, "was identified" is singular and should be used when referring to a single subject. "Were identified" is plural and used for multiple subjects. For instance, you'd say "The problem was identified", but "The problems "were identified"".

What's the difference between "were identified" and "became identified"?

"Were identified" indicates a past act of recognition, whereas "became identified" suggests a process or change over time leading to recognition. For example, "The cause of the issue "were identified"" means that the cause was recognized in the past, while "The suspect became identified through DNA evidence" implies a gradual process leading to their identification.