were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were made" is correct and usable in written English.
The verb "to make" has multiple forms, including the past participle "made". You can use this phrase in sentences to indicate that something happened in the past. For example: "The costumes were made by local artisans in time for the play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some arrests were made.

The Economist

"Serious mistakes were made".

The Economist

Revisions were made.

The New York Times

Death threats were made.

The New Yorker

Appeals were made.

The New York Times - Sports

Many points were made.

The New Yorker

Overnight alterations were made.

The New York Times - Sports

82 arrests were made.

The New Yorker

Speeches were made.

The New Yorker

No mistakes were made.

The New Yorker

Jokes were made.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were made" to indicate that something was created, constructed, or brought into existence in the past, particularly when emphasizing the result or the completed action. For instance, "Decisions were made" highlights the outcome of a decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "was made" when the subject is plural. "Was made" is for singular subjects, while "were made" is for plural subjects. For example, it's "Mistakes were made", not "Mistakes was made".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were made" functions as the past passive form of the verb "to make". It indicates that an action of creation or construction was performed on a subject in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were made" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate past actions, specifically in the passive voice. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used across various contexts, with a particularly high prevalence in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement (plural subjects require "were") and consider alternative phrasings like "had been created" or "were produced" for nuanced meaning. Pay attention to the specific context (creation, decision, action) to ensure clarity and correctness. Lastly, remember that "were made" refers to past events and shouldn't be confused with "are made", which indicates present actions or general truths.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been created

Emphasizes the completion of the creation process before a certain point in the past.

were constructed

Focuses on the act of building or assembling something.

were produced

Highlights the manufacturing or generation of something.

were built

Emphasizes the act of construction.

were manufactured

Specifically refers to the industrial production of goods.

were formed

Suggests the shaping or bringing into existence of something.

were developed

Indicates a process of growth or advancement leading to the final product.

were established

Implies the setting up or founding of something.

were composed

Suggests the arrangement or combination of elements.

were fashioned

Highlights the skill or artistry involved in creating something.

FAQs

How do I use "were made" in a sentence?

Use "were made" to indicate that something was created or constructed in the past. For example, "The costumes "were made" by local artisans." It's the past tense, passive voice construction of the verb "to make" for plural subjects.

What can I say instead of "were made"?

You can use alternatives like "had been created", "were produced", or "were constructed" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was made" or "were made"?

"Were made" is correct for plural subjects, while "was made" is correct for singular subjects. For example, "Mistakes "were made"" (plural) versus "A mistake was made" (singular).

What is the difference between "were made" and "are made"?

"Were made" indicates something created or happened in the past, while "are made" indicates something that is currently being created or a general truth. For instance, "The changes "were made" yesterday" (past) versus "These products "are made" in China" (present/general).