were marked by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were marked by" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is characterized by a particular trait or event. For example: The years of the Great Depression were marked by crippling financial insecurity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Answers were marked by caginess.

Columbia University

These lives were marked by terrible sadness.

The New York Times - Books

The early days were marked by wariness.

The New York Times - Science

Conveniently, they were marked by a little wooden sign.

Columbia University

But not all the protests were marked by such clashes.

The New York Times

Levine's straightforward interpretations were marked by vitality and architectural clarity.

Britannica

Pawar's ministerial stints were marked by several controversies.

Britannica

The interwar years were marked by terrible political upheaval.

The New Yorker

His philanthropy and leadership were marked by an extraordinary vision.

The New York Times

The settlement's early years were marked by intermittent bloodshed.

The New York Times

The long, drawn-out trial proceedings were marked by indecision.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were marked by" to highlight significant events or characteristics that define a period, era, or phenomenon. For example: The Roaring Twenties "were marked by" economic prosperity and cultural change.

Common error

While "were marked by" is a valid construction, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider active voice alternatives when appropriate to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The project was marked by delays", you could say "Delays plagued the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were marked by" functions as a passive construction used to describe the characteristics or events that defined a particular period, situation, or entity. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were marked by" is a grammatically correct and versatile construction used to highlight the defining characteristics or events of a particular period or subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread usage across diverse contexts, from news and encyclopedias to scientific publications, underscores its reliability and neutrality. When writing, you can leverage "were marked by" to effectively showcase the significant aspects of your topic, keeping in mind that while suitable for various contexts, an active voice alternative might sometimes bring stronger clarity and impact. Related options, such as "were characterized by" and "were defined by", provide nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were characterized by

This alternative emphasizes the defining qualities or attributes of something, similar to "were marked by".

were distinguished by

This suggests that something stood out due to specific features, similar to "were marked by" but with a focus on distinction.

were defined by

This alternative highlights the features or events that essentially shaped or determined the nature of something, akin to "were marked by".

were punctuated by

This suggests that events occurred at intervals, drawing attention to them within a broader context, a more specific nuance than "were marked by".

were signified by

This implies that something was represented or indicated by specific signs or events, similar to "were marked by" but more symbolic.

were featured by

This alternative indicates the presence of notable elements or characteristics, similar to "were marked by" but emphasizing inclusion.

were highlighted by

This suggests that certain aspects were given prominence or emphasis, similar to "were marked by" but focusing on attention drawn.

were affected by

This alternative indicates that something has suffered because of someone or something, so is similar to "were marked by" in terms of impact but is more negative.

were impacted by

Similar to "were affected by", this highlights the influence or effect on something, comparable to "were marked by" in denoting influence.

were typified by

This alternative indicates that something served as a typical example of something else, similar to "were marked by" but focusing on representation.

FAQs

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

Use "were marked by" to indicate that a period, event, or phenomenon had notable characteristics or events. For instance, "The decade /s/was+characterized+by" can be rephrased to "The decade "were marked by" rapid technological advancements".

What are some alternatives to "were marked by"?

Alternatives include "were characterized by", "were defined by", or "were distinguished by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "were marked by" uses passive voice and is grammatically correct, active voice can sometimes be more direct and impactful. Consider whether emphasizing the subject performing the action would strengthen your sentence.

How does the tone of "were marked by" compare to other similar phrases?

The phrase "were marked by" generally maintains a neutral tone. Other phrases like "were plagued by" or "were blessed with" carry more negative or positive connotations, respectively.