were impressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were impressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a group of people had a positive reaction or admiration towards something or someone in the past. Example: "The audience were impressed by the performance of the dancers at the gala."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The experts were impressed.

The New York Times

My children were impressed.

The New York Times

Even outsiders were impressed.

The New Yorker

The markets were impressed.

The Economist

Even oenophiles were impressed.

The New Yorker

Our companions were impressed.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Bradley was impressed.

The New Yorker

Not everyone is impressed.

The New York Times

Yahmadi was impressed.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ferraro was impressed.

The New York Times

Coiro was impressed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were impressed", ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity about who is experiencing the impression. For example, "The judges were impressed by her performance" is clearer than "They were impressed".

Common error

Avoid using "were impressed" excessively in passive constructions. Sometimes, active voice provides a more direct and impactful statement. Instead of "The team were impressed by the new software", consider "The new software impressed the team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were impressed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received a favorable impression. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science & Research

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were impressed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that expresses a positive reaction or admiration. According to Ludwig, it appears most commonly in news and media sources, as well as academic writing. When using "were impressed", ensure clarity by defining the subject and avoiding overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives such as "were amazed" or "were captivated" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were amazed

Suggests a higher degree of surprise and wonder than "were impressed".

were astonished

Indicates a strong sense of surprise and disbelief, more intense than "were impressed".

were captivated

Implies being charmed and fascinated, focusing on the engaging quality of something rather than just approval.

were delighted

Conveys a sense of great pleasure and satisfaction, adding an emotional aspect absent in "were impressed".

were taken with

Suggests being charmed or attracted to something, implying a personal connection.

were struck by

Highlights a particular aspect that stood out, rather than an overall positive feeling.

were won over

Implies a change of opinion or initial skepticism that was overcome.

held in high regard

Indicates respect and esteem, focusing on long-term reputation rather than a single event.

thought highly of

Expresses a positive opinion or evaluation, implying a considered judgment.

found admirable

Highlights the praiseworthy qualities of something, suggesting moral or ethical approval.

FAQs

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

You can use "were impressed" to express that someone or a group of people had a positive reaction to something. For example, "The critics "were impressed" by the film's originality."

What can I say instead of "were impressed"?

You can use alternatives like "were amazed", "were astonished", or "were captivated" depending on the context.

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

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "was impressed" for singular subjects (e.g., "He was impressed") and "were impressed" for plural subjects (e.g., "They were impressed").

What's the difference between "were impressed" and "seemed impressed"?

"Were impressed" indicates a definite positive reaction. "Seemed impressed" suggests that someone appeared to be impressed, but their true feelings are uncertain or not explicitly stated.