were left out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were left out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was excluded or forgotten. For example: "Several details of the story were left out when the article was published."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"People were left out in the cold.

The New York Times

(In both cases, popular flavors like strawberry were left out).

The New York Times - Books

Q: Did you feel jealous you were left out?

The Guardian

"Instead, women were left out in the cold.

The Guardian

The remains were left out in the woods.

Science Magazine

Two Districts, Fafi and Dadaab, were left out due to security reasons.

Pastoralism

Sheldon's horses were left out in the cold.

Huffington Post

Reproductive rights, constantly under attack, were left out as well.

Huffington Post

These tiles were left out when the mosaic was assembled.

Huffington Post

In round one experiments F1, G1, N1 were left out, in round two F2, G2, N1d were left out, and in round three F3, G3A, were left out.

BMC Genomics

Therefore, questions regarding clients were left out for internal services.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were left out", ensure it's clear who or what did the leaving out to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "details were left out by the editor" rather than just "details were left out".

Common error

Avoid using "were left out" without a clear understanding of the context. Ensure that the reader can easily infer or identify who or what caused the exclusion, or explicitly state it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were left out" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something or someone was excluded or omitted. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were left out" is a very common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to indicate exclusion or omission. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what caused the exclusion and consider the nuance compared to alternatives like "were excluded" or "were omitted". Understanding its function and potential for ambiguity will help enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were excluded

Focuses on the act of being excluded from a group or list.

were omitted

Emphasizes the act of intentionally leaving something out.

were excluded from consideration

Highlights that something was not considered at all.

were not included

Directly states the absence of inclusion.

were bypassed

Implies that something was skipped or ignored.

were overlooked

Suggests that something was missed unintentionally.

were disregarded

Emphasizes that something was ignored despite being known.

were passed over

Indicates a choice was made to not select something.

were dispensed with

Implies something was removed because it was deemed unnecessary.

were left by the wayside

Suggests something was abandoned or forgotten.

FAQs

How can I use "were left out" in a sentence?

You can use "were left out" to indicate that something or someone was excluded or omitted. For example, "Several important details "were left out" of the final report."

What are some alternatives to "were left out"?

Alternatives to "were left out" include phrases like "were excluded", "were omitted", or "were not included", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were left out"?

While "were left out" is passive, whether to use active or passive depends on the context. If the actor is important, use active voice. If the action itself is more important, passive voice with "were left out" is appropriate.

What is the difference between "were left out" and "were excluded"?

While similar, "were left out" suggests a less formal or intentional exclusion than "were excluded". "Were excluded" often implies a deliberate act of keeping something or someone out.