were marked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were marked" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about a thing or a group of things that were identified or distinguished in some way. For example, "The items that were in need of repair were marked with red stickers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Numerous tunnels were marked.

The New York Times

All were marked urgent.

The Guardian

They were marked "Obstructed View".

The New Yorker

They were marked 79 cents.

The New York Times

Many of them were marked "Tehran".

The New Yorker

All were marked for United Russia.

The New York Times

These lives were marked by terrible sadness.

The New York Times - Books

The children who were marked apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

A number were marked: "Time sensitive.

The New York Times

None of the police vehicles were marked.

The New York Times

The early days were marked by wariness.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were marked", ensure the context clearly indicates what the marking signifies (e.g., a characteristic, a position, or a status).

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the method or purpose of the marking. Always provide sufficient context to clarify how and why something "were marked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were marked" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being marked. Ludwig examples demonstrate this in various contexts, from tunnel identification to item categorization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were marked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase. As demonstrated by Ludwig's AI and real-world examples, it is commonly used across diverse sources like news media, scientific publications and wikis to indicate something has been labeled or identified. This phrase typically carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for variety of communication purposes. When using "were marked", it is crucial to give enough context to clarify the purpose or method of the marking. Alternatives such as "were identified" or "were labeled" can add nuance, depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing or pointing out something specific.

were labeled

Highlights the action of attaching a tag or identifier for categorization.

were designated

Emphasizes the act of officially assigning a particular status or purpose.

were distinguished

Implies setting apart or recognizing differences between items.

were tagged

Similar to labeled, but can also imply tracking or monitoring.

were characterized

Focuses on describing the distinctive nature or features of something.

were classified

Highlights the action of organizing items into specific groups or categories.

were noted

Emphasizes the act of recording or taking notice of something.

were indicated

Focuses on pointing out or showing something, often with a sign or symbol.

were singled out

Emphasizes selecting one or a few items from a larger group.

FAQs

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

You can use "were marked" to indicate that something had a specific sign, symbol, or characteristic assigned to it. For example, "The defective products were marked with a red 'X'".

What's a good alternative to "were marked"?

Alternatives include "were labeled", "were identified", or "were designated", depending on the specific context.

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

The choice depends on the context. Passive voice ("were marked") emphasizes the object being marked, while active voice (e.g., "They marked the boxes") emphasizes the actor.

What does "were marked" imply?

"Were marked" typically implies that something has been intentionally labeled, identified, or distinguished for a specific reason or purpose. It suggests a deliberate action to set something apart.