were implicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were implicated" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing involvement in a situation, often in a negative context, such as a crime or scandal. Example: "Several officials were implicated in the corruption scandal." Alternative expressions include "were involved" and "were connected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

German companies, too, were implicated.

The New Yorker

No high schools were implicated.

The New York Times

Another 20 local officials were implicated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several Moroccans were implicated in those bombings.

The New York Times

Both sides were implicated in human rights violations.

The Guardian

Chronic staff shortages were implicated in one patient dying unexpectedly.

The Guardian

Afghan police officers were implicated in the attack.

The New York Times

The Tories were implicated too, it was noted.

The Guardian

A year later, Russian athletes were implicated again.

The New York Times - Sports

Morrisons responded, saying that none of its employees were implicated.

The Guardian - Business

Before this year's Tour, nearly 60 cyclists were implicated in a major doping ring in Spain.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, utilize this phrase to describe components or variables that contribute to a specific biological process or disease state.

Common error

Avoid using "implicated" when you mean that something was suggested indirectly. While "implied" refers to a suggestion, "implicated" refers to a direct connection to a negative event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were implicated" functions as a passive verb phrase consisting of the auxiliary verb "were" and the past participle "implicated". As observed in Ludwig, it serves to connect subjects to an event—often a crime, scandal or scientific result—without necessarily specifying the degree of intent or active agency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Informal Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were implicated" is a robust and sophisticated passive construction used primarily to denote involvement in unfavorable circumstances or complex scientific processes. Ludwig AI demonstrates its prevalence in top-tier news outlets and academic journals, where precision regarding involvement is paramount. Unlike more neutral terms like "were connected", this query often carries a weight of evidence or investigation. It is most effectively used in formal reporting and research, provided the writer maintains the correct prepositional structure of being "implicated in" a specific matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were involved

More general and carries less inherent negative bias than the query

were linked

Frequently used in news headlines to suggest a connection without full legal proof

were incriminated

Directly suggests guilt or evidence of a crime

were connected

A more neutral alternative often used in investigative contexts

were associated

Preferred in scientific literature to describe correlations or causative factors

were tied to

A more idiomatic or journalistic way to express connection to a scandal

were entangled

Suggests a messy or complicated involvement

were compromised

Focuses on the damage caused to the reputation of the subjects

were named in

Specific to legal documents or official reports

played a role in

An active voice construction that assigns more direct agency

FAQs

How do I use "were implicated" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe involvement in a scandal, such as: "Several high-ranking officials "were implicated" in the tax evasion scheme."

What is the difference between "were implicated" and "were involved"?

While both suggest participation, "were implicated" carries a stronger connotation of guilt or being caught in a negative act, whereas "were involved" is more neutral.

Is "were implicated" appropriate for scientific papers?

Yes, it is very common in research to describe causal factors, such as: "Genetic mutations "were implicated" in the progression of the disease."

Can I say "were implicated to"?

No, the standard preposition is "in". Instead of "implicated to the crime", you should say "were implicated in" the crime.