were ignored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were ignored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone was not acknowledged or considered, typically in a past context. Example: "The suggestions made by the team were ignored during the final decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Thus, we were ignored.

Harvard University

They were ignored.

University of California, Berkeley

Chrysler cars were ignored.

The New York Times

Again, they were ignored.

Independent

"Mostly, they were ignored.

The New Yorker

Advance warnings were ignored.

The Economist

Practicalities were ignored.

The New York Times

Petitions were ignored.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They were being ignored".

The New York Times

His memo was ignored.

The New Yorker

Again it was ignored.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were ignored", ensure the subject performing the ignoring is clearly identified or implied. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "were ignored" is grammatically sound, excessive use of the passive voice can make writing seem weak. Consider active voice alternatives for a more direct and impactful style. For example instead of saying "The warnings were ignored" use "They ignored the warnings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were ignored" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being ignored. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were ignored" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates a lack of attention or consideration. Ludwig AI’s analysis confirms its widespread applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure clarity regarding who or what performed the ignoring and consider the potential for overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives like "were disregarded" or "were overlooked" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "were ignored" is a reliable phrase for conveying the idea of something not being acknowledged or addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were disregarded

Emphasizes a deliberate act of overlooking or dismissing something.

were paid no attention

A more explicit way of saying something was ignored.

were overlooked

Suggests something was missed unintentionally.

were not taken seriously

Highlights the lack of importance assigned to something.

were neglected

Highlights a failure to care for or attend to something properly.

were dismissed

Implies a rejection or refusal to consider something seriously.

were unheeded

Indicates that warnings or advice were not listened to.

were brushed aside

Shows that something was treated as unimportant and quickly discarded.

were given short shrift

Suggests something was treated curtly and without due consideration.

were left unattended

Focuses on the lack of supervision or care.

FAQs

How is "were ignored" typically used in a sentence?

"Were ignored" typically follows a plural noun or pronoun, indicating that multiple items or individuals did not receive attention or consideration. For example, "Their pleas "were ignored" by the authorities".

What are some alternatives to "were ignored"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were disregarded", "were overlooked", or "were neglected".

Is it more appropriate to say "were ignored" or "was ignored"?

"Were ignored" is used with plural subjects, while "was ignored" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The suggestions were ignored", versus "The suggestion was ignored".

What does it mean when something "were ignored"?

When something "were ignored", it means that it was deliberately or unintentionally not paid attention to, not considered, or not acknowledged.