were invalidated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were invalidated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been declared null and void, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "The results of the experiment were invalidated due to a procedural error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A suspiciously large number of ballots were invalidated.

The New York Times

And 95,000 more were invalidated illegally, without any justification.

The Economist

Thousands of unsigned ballots were invalidated in 2012.

The New York Times

And statewide, 143,000 ballots were invalidated for overcounting in 1996.

The New York Times

Voter turnout was estimated at 90percentt, and 1percentt of the ballots were invalidated.

The New York Times

Last year, some 7,000 FCAT tests were invalidated because of suspected cheating.

The Washington Post

The nearly 4,000 same-sex marriages in San Francisco were invalidated the following year.

The Guardian

Other votes were invalidated because paper tabs called chads did not properly detach from ballot cards.

The New York Times

In two largely African-American precincts, nearly one-third of the ballots were invalidated.

The New York Times

The marriages, allowed by city mayor Gavin Newsom, were invalidated a year later.

The Guardian

How were so many people so sure about contracts that were invalidated by the court?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were invalidated", ensure the context clearly indicates what authority or process led to the invalidation. This adds precision and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "were invalidated" in casual conversation. It's a formal phrase best reserved for legal, official, or academic settings. Simpler alternatives like "were cancelled" or "didn't count" are more appropriate for informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were invalidated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject has undergone an action that has rendered it not valid. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, the phrase is predominantly used in formal contexts such as news reports and legal documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were invalidated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase that signifies something has been officially declared not valid. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence in formal contexts like news, academia, and legal settings. When employing this phrase, precision is key; ensure the context clearly defines the authority or process that led to the invalidation. While "were nullified", "were annulled", and "were canceled" serve as viable alternatives, remember to select the term that best aligns with the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoiding its use in informal conversations will also maintain appropriate register and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were nullified

Emphasizes the act of making something void or without legal force, similar to "were invalidated".

were annulled

Specifically implies a declaration that something, like a marriage or contract, is legally void from the beginning.

were voided

Focuses on the act of cancelling or abolishing something, often a legal agreement or document.

were rescinded

Suggests a formal withdrawal or cancellation of a law, order, or agreement.

were overturned

Often used when a decision or ruling is reversed by a higher authority.

were repealed

Specifically refers to the revocation or annulment of a law or statute.

were revoked

Emphasizes the act of officially taking back a permission, license, or privilege.

were canceled

A more general term indicating that something has been stopped or discontinued.

were negated

Highlights the act of rendering something ineffective or without value.

were quashed

Suggests the suppression or rejection of something, often an indictment or legal proceeding.

FAQs

How to use "were invalidated" in a sentence?

Use "were invalidated" to describe something that has been officially declared not valid or legally binding. For example, "The election results "were invalidated" due to voting irregularities."

What can I say instead of "were invalidated"?

You can use alternatives like "were nullified", "were annulled", or "were canceled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were invalidated" or "was invalidated"?

"Were invalidated" is used for plural subjects, while "was invalidated" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The votes "were invalidated"" versus "The ballot "was invalidated"".

What's the difference between "were invalidated" and "were rejected"?

"Were invalidated" implies an official or legal declaration of invalidity, while "were rejected" simply means something was not accepted. Ballots might "were invalidated" for legal reasons, whereas a proposal might "were rejected" because it was deemed unsuitable.