were indicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were indicated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been pointed out or shown in the past, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The results of the study were indicated in the final report, highlighting the key findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Solutions were indicated.

The New York Times

Those candidates were indicated by name and party affiliation.

The New York Times

Fifteen students whose lockers or cars were indicated by the dogs were pulled out of class.

The New York Times

In that world, footnotes were the means by which differing opinions were indicated.

The New Yorker

Rhythms were indicated by placing note stems above the staff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No revisions were indicated.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

P values were indicated.

Protein & Cell

All active fractions were indicated by arrows.

AMB Express

Break-down voltages (VBD) were indicated.

Nanoscale Res Lett

Aggregations were indicated by black arrows.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Uncertainties in the design were indicated.

Chemical Engineering Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were indicated" in scientific or formal writing, maintain a passive voice to emphasize the object being indicated rather than the actor.

Common error

Avoid using "were indicated" in sentences where a more direct verb like "showed" or "stated" would be clearer and more concise. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were indicated" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It signifies that something was pointed out, shown, or made known, typically through some form of evidence or signal. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were indicated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to convey that something was shown or made known, typically through evidence or signals. This phrase is most frequently found in science and news contexts, reflecting its formal and objective tone. While it's a correct and useful phrase, writers should be mindful of avoiding overuse and ensuring clarity by occasionally opting for more direct verbs. Considering alternatives such as "were shown" or "were suggested" can enhance writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were pointed out

This alternative indicates that something was brought to someone's attention.

were specified

This alternative emphasizes that something was explicitly stated or detailed.

were shown

This alternative suggests that something was visually or demonstrably displayed.

were suggested

This implies a less direct form of indication, where something was hinted at or proposed.

were identified

This alternative focuses on the act of recognizing or discovering something.

were marked

This suggests that something was physically or symbolically labeled.

were designated

This implies a formal assignment or appointment.

were highlighted

This means something was emphasized or brought to attention.

were revealed

This suggests that something was previously hidden but is now made known.

were determined

This focuses on the act of finding something out through investigation or calculation.

FAQs

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

You can use "were indicated" to show that something was pointed out or made known through evidence or signals. For example, "The errors in the report "were indicated" by the red markings".

What's a good alternative to "were indicated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were shown", "were suggested", or "were identified" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were indicated"?

The phrase "were indicated" is inherently passive. While it's grammatically correct, consider whether an active voice construction would make your writing more direct and clear. If an active voice is clearer, it should be preffered over passive.

What is the difference between "were indicated" and "were implied"?

"Were indicated" suggests a clearer, more direct form of communication or evidence, while "were implied" suggests something was hinted at or suggested indirectly. The choice depends on how explicit the information was.