were looked after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were looked after" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was cared for or attended to, often in the context of children or pets being taken care of. Example: "The children were looked after by their grandparents while their parents were away on vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Through a process of dialogue with potential providers, the way patients were looked after was completely redesigned.

The Guardian

Bernard Ingham, her pugnacious press man, got his K, so did media man Tim Bell and the cleaners and messengers were looked after too.

The Guardian

HRW said it had urged the UN to make sure victims were looked after, kept safe and given rapid access to medical and psychosocial care.

The Guardian

As long as you operated within that, you knew that you were looked after". The Connection is currently playing in select theaters.

Vice

From arrival to departure, we were looked after.

The New Yorker

And I didn't think things were looked after at all".

The New York Times - Sports

Glendinning rates Aberdeen's blocks: "They were looked after.

Independent

But whether you were innocent or guilty, you were looked after by the others in prison.

The Guardian

He also wanted to make sure his employees were looked after.

The New York Times

In turn, I and my fellow jurors were looked after very well by the court staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were looked after a great deal by their Aunt Kate.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were looked after", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what received the care. For example, "The patients in the hospital were looked after by the nurses."

Common error

Avoid using "were looked after" in contexts where active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "Mistakes were looked after by the supervisor", write "The supervisor corrected the mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were looked after" functions as a passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable English construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received care or attention from someone or something else. This is evident in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

26%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were looked after" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It conveys the idea that someone or something received care, attention, or supervision. While it appears in various contexts, it's most frequently used in News & Media and Science. The neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the subject receiving the care is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Given its high frequency and clear meaning, it's a reliable choice for expressing the concept of being cared for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were cared for

Emphasizes the act of providing care and attention.

were taken care of

Focuses on the action of attending to someone's needs.

were supervised

Highlights the act of overseeing and directing.

were attended to

Stresses the action of providing service or assistance.

were minded

Suggests a responsibility to watch over and protect.

were watched over

Implies a sense of protection and vigilance.

were fostered

Specifically refers to nurturing and supporting growth or development.

were protected

Highlights the act of shielding from harm or danger.

were managed

Focuses on the administrative aspect of handling responsibilities.

were overseen

Emphasizes the supervisory role in ensuring proper conduct.

FAQs

How can I use "were looked after" in a sentence?

The phrase "were looked after" indicates that someone or something received care or attention. For example, "The children "were looked after" by their grandmother" or "The animals "were looked after" by the zookeepers".

What are some alternatives to "were looked after"?

Alternatives include "were cared for", "were taken care of", "were supervised", or "were attended to", depending on the specific context.

Is "were looked after" formal or informal?

"Were looked after" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "were looked after" and "were watched over"?

"Were looked after" implies active care and attention to needs, while "were watched over" suggests a more passive form of supervision or protection. The former involves direct interaction and assistance, whereas the latter focuses on observation and safeguarding.