were matched

USAGE SUMMARY

"were matched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe two entities that have been paired with or related to each other. For example, "The two colors of paint in the room were matched to create a cohesive look."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were matched.

The New York Times

He and Hofstra were matched in 1990.

The New York Times - Sports

Forster's best-ever sales were matched by enthusiastic reviews.

The Guardian - Books

These personal difficulties were matched by political problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

If only this nimbleness were matched by the movie itself.

The Guardian - Film

Patients were matched on age and sex.

Annals of Intensive Care

Data were matched with ethnicity and gender.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Items of both assessments were matched.

Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

The images were matched by contents.

Procedia Manufacturing

Groups were matched for extent of deficits.

Molecular Therapy

Data were matched by age and parity.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were matched", ensure the context clearly indicates the basis of the matching (e.g., age, gender, criteria). This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was matched" when referring to multiple subjects. "Were matched" is used for plural subjects; "was matched" is for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were matched" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent an action of being paired or made similar to something else. Ludwig provides examples like "Patients were matched on age and sex".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were matched" serves as a passive verb phrase, indicating a pairing or equalization between entities based on specific criteria. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and prevalent across diverse fields such as science, news, and formal contexts. To ensure accuracy, it's crucial to maintain subject-verb agreement (using "was matched" for singular subjects) and clearly define the basis for the matching. Consider alternative phrases like "were paired" or "were aligned" to add nuance. The phrase is widely used in scientific publications, news articles, and formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were paired

Emphasizes the act of being put together as a pair, differing slightly in implying a deliberate action.

were aligned

Highlights the agreement or correspondence between two entities, focusing on their harmonious relationship.

were equated

Focuses on establishing an equality or equivalence between the subjects, suggesting a standardization or comparison.

were corresponded

Highlights a relationship of direct correspondence or similarity.

were made equal

Indicates an action taken to equalize two previously unequal things.

were made equivalent

Indicates that items were turned into items of same value.

were compared

Focuses on the act of comparing items with each other.

were coordinated

Suggests that the items were brought together in a common action.

were suited

Signifies a reciprocal of good fit.

were in agreement

Emphasizes the state of being in harmony or accord.

FAQs

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

You can use "were matched" to indicate that two or more items or people were paired or made similar based on certain criteria. For example, "The patients "were matched by age" and gender for the study".

What are some alternatives to "were matched"?

Some alternatives include "were paired", "were aligned", or "were equated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Was matched" is correct for singular subjects, while "were matched" is correct for plural subjects. For example, "The color was matched" versus "The colors "were matched"".

What's the difference between "were matched" and "were compared"?

"Were matched" implies a pairing or equalization based on specific criteria, whereas "were compared" simply indicates that items were assessed for similarities and differences. They don't always imply the same goal or outcome. For example, "The data sets were compared" simply means an assessment took place, whereas, "The data sets "were matched"" indicates the goal was to find corresponding items and create pairings based on a common ground.