were joined by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were joined by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate when two or more people or groups have come together or become associated. For example, "The two companies were joined by a mutual interest in sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The men were joined by their wives.

The New York Times

We were joined by the neighborhood cop.

The New Yorker

On Monday, they were joined by Greece.

The New York Times

We were joined by Petty Officer Heath.

The New Yorker

(They were joined by Aaron Neveu on drums).

The New York Times - Arts

They were joined by photographers Patrick Chauvel and Yuri Kozyrev.

The New York Times

They were joined by 380 men.

The Washington Post

Eventually, they were joined by Johnson himself.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sean Lock and Jon Richardson are joined by Rhod Gilbert, Kevin Bridges and Josie Long.

Independent

He is joined by a female colleague.

The New York Times

They'll be joined by Pete Tong and Carl Kennedy.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were joined by", ensure that the entities being joined are clearly defined and that the context makes it clear what kind of association is being formed. For example, "The initial protesters were joined by students and faculty", which indicates a growing number of people participated in the protest.

Common error

Avoid using "were joined by" when an active voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The meeting were joined by several new members", consider "Several new members joined the meeting" for a more direct and concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were joined by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received an action, specifically the act of being joined by someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were joined by" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that a subject was accompanied or augmented by others. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts, demonstrating its versatility. When using "were joined by", ensure clarity in defining the entities being joined and consider whether an active voice might be more appropriate for a more direct statement. For semantically similar alternatives, you might consider phrases like "were accompanied by" or "were united with", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were accompanied by

Focuses on simultaneous presence or occurrence, suggesting a more general association.

were united with

Emphasizes a sense of unity or common purpose in the joining.

were supplemented by

Highlights the addition of something that enhances or completes the original.

were merged with

Indicates a more complete integration or blending of the entities.

were augmented by

Similar to 'supplemented', but often implies a more significant increase or addition.

were affiliated with

Suggests a formal connection or association between the entities.

were connected to

Implies a link or relationship, but not necessarily a physical joining.

were linked with

Similar to 'connected to', emphasizing the link or connection.

were consolidated with

Suggests the combination of separate items into a single more effective or coherent whole.

were integrated into

Focuses on the process of incorporating something into a larger system or structure.

FAQs

How can I use "were joined by" in a sentence?

Use "were joined by" to indicate that people or things came together or became connected. For example, "The initial team members "were joined by" new recruits." /s/were+joined+by

What are some alternatives to "were joined by"?

Alternatives include "were accompanied by", "were united with", or "were supplemented by", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was joined by" instead of "were joined by"?

Use "was joined by" when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The company was joined by a new CEO." Use "were joined by" for plural subjects. For example, "The original investors were joined by several venture capital firms."

What's the difference between "were joined by" and "were accompanied by"?

"Were joined by" typically implies a more deliberate coming together, while "were accompanied by" suggests simultaneous presence without necessarily implying a specific intention to unite.