were maintained

USAGE SUMMARY

"were maintained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been maintained or kept in a certain state. Example: The strict regulations established by the company were maintained throughout the duration of the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Buildings were maintained more regularly.

The Economist

The effects were maintained at follow-up.

The New York Times

Parochial schools were maintained by various denominations.

Cornell University

Cells were maintained at 60% confluency.

Nature

hiPSCs were maintained in complete culture medium.

Nature

Medulloblastoma cell lines were maintained as described10.

Nature

All crosses were maintained at 25 °C.

Nature

Fly strains were maintained on standard medium.

Nature

Plants were maintained in pollinator-proof greenhouses.

Nature

These conditions were maintained for several days.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Controls donors were maintained in room air.

Journal of Surgical Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were maintained" to clearly indicate that a certain condition, standard, or process was deliberately kept in place over a period. For example, "Safety protocols were maintained throughout the experiment" emphasizes the consistent adherence to safety standards.

Common error

Avoid using "were maintained" when you actually mean to describe who or what was doing the maintaining. For instance, instead of "The garden were maintained by the gardener", use "The gardener maintained the garden" for a more direct and active sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were maintained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something (the subject) underwent an action of being kept in a particular condition. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were maintained" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb construction used to indicate that something was deliberately kept in a particular state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. When writing, remember to use this phrase to highlight the preservation or continuation of specific conditions or standards, and avoid misusing it when you intend to describe the actor performing the maintenance. Related phrases such as "were preserved" or "were sustained" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate its appropriate use in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were preserved

Emphasizes keeping something in its original condition, often unchanged.

were kept

A simpler, more general way to indicate that something was retained in a specific state or place.

were sustained

Highlights the ongoing support or upholding of a condition or activity.

were upheld

Suggests that something was actively defended or supported to continue its existence or validity.

were conserved

Implies careful management and preservation, often related to resources or energy.

were retained

Focuses on holding onto something, preventing it from being lost or changed.

were continued

Highlights the uninterrupted progress or existence of something.

were prolonged

Indicates that something was extended beyond its expected duration.

were supported

Emphasizes the provision of assistance or resources to keep something functioning or existing.

were administered

Focuses on the management and oversight required to keep something operational or effective.

FAQs

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

You can use "were maintained" to indicate that something was kept in a specific condition or state. For example, "The historical buildings "were maintained" to preserve their original appearance".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "were maintained"?

Alternatives include "were preserved", "were kept", or "were sustained", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Was maintained" is used with singular subjects, while "were maintained" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The standard was maintained", but "The standards "were maintained"".

What does it mean when something "were maintained"?

It means that efforts were made to keep something in a particular state or condition, preventing it from deteriorating or changing. For instance, "Order and discipline "were maintained" throughout the training period".