were investigated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were investigated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing actions taken in the past regarding a subject or issue that was examined or studied. Example: "The financial records of the company were investigated by the auditors to ensure compliance with regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Government officials were investigated.

The Guardian

Other reporters were investigated as well.

The New Yorker

How many more were investigated but "cleared"?

The New Yorker

And others were investigated after my time.

Yale University

Optimal conditions were investigated.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

Different methods were investigated.

Journal of Virological Methods

were investigated in vivo.

Journal of Pharmacological Sciences

The family were investigated by the police and social services.

The Guardian - Opinion

Almost 4,000 incidents were investigated last year.

The Guardian

Hence, only SPLfl/fl/Nes mice were investigated further.

Nature

Swelling and deswelling characteristics of the silicone tubing were investigated.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were investigated" in contexts where you want to emphasize that a subject has undergone a formal or systematic inquiry. This passive construction is particularly suitable for reports, academic papers, and news articles where objectivity is key.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "were investigated" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing to use active voice if the actor is known and relevant. For example, instead of "The claims were investigated by the police", write "The police investigated the claims".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were investigated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase emphasizes the action done upon the subject rather than the actor performing the investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were investigated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates a completed examination or inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal and scientific contexts, where objectivity is essential. The phrase appears most commonly in science, news and media, and academic writing. When using "were investigated", it is important to ensure the subject is plural and to avoid overuse of the passive voice in favor of more direct active voice constructions when appropriate. Related phrases like "were examined", "were scrutinized", and "were analyzed" can provide alternative nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were examined

Replaces "investigated" with "examined", suggesting a close inspection or observation.

were scrutinized

Uses "scrutinized" to emphasize a detailed and critical examination.

were analyzed

Substitutes "investigated" with "analyzed", highlighting a systematic and detailed examination of data or information.

were probed

Replaces "investigated" with "probed", suggesting a deeper inquiry to uncover hidden information.

were inspected

Uses "inspected" to indicate a careful and formal examination, often for quality or compliance.

were researched

Replaces "investigated" with "researched", focusing on a systematic study to discover and interpret facts.

were audited

Uses "audited" to indicate a formal examination of financial records or operational processes.

were checked

Replaces "investigated" with "checked", suggesting a verification process to ensure accuracy or correctness.

were reviewed

Uses "reviewed" to indicate a formal assessment or evaluation of something.

were assessed

Substitutes "investigated" with "assessed", focusing on the evaluation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.

FAQs

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

Use "were investigated" to indicate that a subject or situation underwent a formal or systematic inquiry. For example, "The allegations of fraud "were investigated" by the authorities."

What are some alternatives to "were investigated"?

You can use alternatives like "were examined", "were scrutinized", or "were analyzed" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Were investigated" is used for plural subjects, while "was investigated" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The documents "were investigated"" (plural) versus "The claim "was investigated"" (singular).

What is the difference between "were investigated" and "had been investigated"?

"Were investigated" indicates a past action, while "had been investigated" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For instance, "The incident "were investigated" last week" versus "The incident "had been investigated" before the report was filed."