were issued

USAGE SUMMARY

'were issued' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is the past tense of the verb 'issue', which means to provide something such as a document, certificate, or instruction. For example: The company issued a memo to all employees warning them about the new safety regulations that were to be implemented.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No tickets were issued.

The New York Times

Corrections were issued.

The New York Times

Two writs were issued.

Cornell University

Peter and Martin were issued.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Conflicting orders were issued.

The New York Times

Reports were issued.

The New York Times

Warnings were issued.

The New York Times - Science

No summonses were issued.

The New York Times

Death penalties were issued.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stern warnings were issued.

The New York Times

No singles were issued.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were issued", ensure the subject receiving the issue is clearly stated. For instance, "Tickets were issued to the attendees" is more explicit than "Tickets were issued."

Common error

Avoid using "was issued" when referring to multiple items. The plural form "were issued" is necessary for plural subjects, such as "permits", "warnings", or "orders".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were issued" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received something from an external actor or authority. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were issued" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that something has been officially given or distributed. Ludwig's analysis confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discourse. It's crucial to ensure correct subject-verb agreement and to clearly state the recipient of the issue. Alternatives such as ""were released"", ""were granted"", and ""were provided"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use "were issued" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were released

Focuses on making something available to the public or distributing it.

were granted

Implies a formal or legal authorization was given.

were provided

Highlights the act of supplying or furnishing something.

were dispatched

Suggests sending something out for a specific purpose.

were circulated

Emphasizes the distribution of something among a group.

were authorized

Implies formal approval or permission was given.

were announced

Focuses on making something known publicly.

were administered

Highlights the act of managing or dispensing something.

were implemented

Suggests putting a plan or system into effect.

were decreed

Implies an official order or decision was made.

FAQs

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

Use "were issued" to indicate that something was officially given or distributed. For example, "The certificates "were issued" after the training session."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were released", "were granted", or "were provided".

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

"Was issued" is used for singular subjects, while "were issued" is for plural subjects. For example, "A permit was issued" but "Permits "were issued"."

What is the difference between "were issued" and "were published"?

"Were issued" implies an official distribution or granting of something, whereas "were published" means something was made publicly available in written or printed form.