were largely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were largely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was mostly or primarily the case in the past. Example: "The results of the study were largely positive, indicating a successful outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Politics were largely absent.

The New Yorker

Sidewalks were largely deserted.

The New York Times

The players were largely silent.

The Economist

The reasons were largely practical.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shop hours were largely deregulated.

The Economist

Other sectors were largely unchanged.

The Economist

Its findings were largely ignored.

The Economist

The protests were largely ignored.

The New Yorker

Reviews were largely positive.

The New York Times

Bonuses were largely untouched.

The Guardian - Opinion

The groupings were largely random.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were largely", ensure that the context provides sufficient information to understand what the exceptions or deviations might be. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "were largely" when the statement is almost entirely true or false. Instead, opt for more precise terms like "were entirely" or "were mostly" to accurately reflect the degree of truth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were largely" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying the verb 'were'. It indicates the extent or degree to which a statement is true, implying that something was mainly or primarily the case, but not entirely so. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of "were largely" in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science & Research

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were largely" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something was mainly or primarily the case, but not entirely. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, most notably in news and media. When using "were largely", ensure that the context clarifies the nature of the exceptions. Alternative phrases such as "were mainly", "were mostly", and "were predominantly" can be employed to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were mainly

Focuses on the principal component or aspect.

were mostly

Highlights the majority or greater part.

were predominantly

Emphasizes a prevailing or dominant element.

were primarily

Indicates the fundamental or chief aspect.

were substantially

Stresses a considerable amount or degree.

were chiefly

Highlights the main or most important element.

were generally

Focuses on a broad or common occurrence.

were on the whole

Indicates a comprehensive or overall perspective.

were for the most part

Highlights the majority or greater part of something.

were to a great extent

Emphasizes a significant degree or measure.

FAQs

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

Use "were largely" to indicate that something was mainly or primarily true, but not entirely. For example, "The findings "were largely shelved"" suggests most findings were shelved, but perhaps not all.

What phrases are similar to "were largely"?

Similar phrases include "were mainly", "were mostly", or "were predominantly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "was largely" is used with singular subjects, while "were largely" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The effort was largely successful," but "The efforts "were largely successful"."

What's the difference between "were largely" and "were completely"?

"Were largely" indicates that something was mostly true but not entirely, while "were completely" means something was entirely true without exception. For example, "The streets "were largely deserted"" implies some people were present, while "The streets were completely deserted" means no one was there.