were marked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were marked for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been designated or identified for a specific purpose or action. Example: "The documents were marked for review by the committee before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All were marked for United Russia.

The New York Times

Leaks considered unworthy of prosecution were marked for administrative inquiries.

The New York Times

Almost all of those ballots were marked for Mr. Moskowite, the expert said.

The New York Times

The hearings were marked for me, stained even, by Albertina Sisulu's evidence.

The Guardian

Businessmen in the good graces of the Erdogan-Gulen entente were marked for greatness.

The New York Times

One-tenth of one percent were marked for refund, and 5.77percentt are still being vetted.

The Washington Post

Some had committed serious crimes; others, like Ms. Gehris, were marked for deportation for trivial offenses committed long ago.

The New York Times

She'd been afraid that he was one of those men who were marked for life when they were hurt.

The New Yorker

It would appear that others were marked for dissection and dispatch to Britain even before they died.

The Guardian

The Twins outlasted the Oakland Athletics, 5-4, yesterday, less than a year after they were marked for termination.

The New York Times - Sports

In other cases, they were marked for a Widodo-allied legislative candidate who's the son of Indonesia's ambassador to Malaysia.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were marked for", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the marking and the reason behind it. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were marked for" when the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The documents were marked for deletion by the clerk", consider "The clerk marked the documents for deletion" for a more direct and concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were marked for" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has received an action, specifically that it has been designated or identified for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatical and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

49%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were marked for" functions as a passive construction, signifying that something has been designated for a specific purpose. As validated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, ranging from science to news. While versatile, maintaining clarity regarding the marker and reason behind the designation is vital. Alternatives such as "were designated for" or "were intended for" can be used based on the specific context. Keep in mind that while grammatically correct, favoring the active voice can, at times, result in more direct sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were designated for

This alternative directly replaces "marked" with "designated", emphasizing a formal assignment or intended use.

were intended for

This focuses on the intended purpose or recipient of something, rather than the act of marking.

were slated for

This suggests that something was planned or scheduled for a specific action.

were tagged for

Similar to "marked", but with a more contemporary feel, especially in digital contexts.

were selected for

This indicates a choice or preference for a specific purpose or outcome.

were chosen for

This indicates a deliberate selection for a particular reason or function.

were earmarked for

This suggests that something has been specifically set aside for a particular purpose.

were destined for

This implies a predetermined fate or outcome for something.

were assigned to

This focuses on the act of allocating something to a particular purpose or person.

were identified for

This implies a process of recognizing or singling out something for a specific reason.

FAQs

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

"Were marked for" indicates designation or identification for a specific purpose. For example, "Those files "were marked for" deletion after review."

What are some alternatives to "were marked for"?

Alternatives include "were designated for", "were intended for", or "were slated for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "were marked for" is in the passive voice and grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes create a more direct sentence. For example, instead of "The items "were marked for" disposal", you could say "The team marked the items for disposal".

In what contexts is "were marked for" most commonly used?

The phrase is versatile, appearing in news, scientific reports, and formal documents. It is often used when describing processes such as quality control, research tracking, or document management.