were meager

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were meager" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is insufficient or lacking in quantity or quality, often in reference to resources, offerings, or conditions. Example: "The resources allocated for the project were meager, making it difficult to achieve the desired outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Appetites were meager.

The New York Times

The results were meager.

The New York Times

Their rations were meager, rice and bread.

The New York Times

Mr. McAdams conceded that profits were meager.

The New York Times - Tech

The finances of both families were meager.

The New York Times

Yet despite the factory's low wages, its profits were meager.

Stanford University

As a means of locomotion, its offerings were meager.

The New York Times

It had a $1.5 million deficit and contributions were meager.

The New York Times

Profits were meager, and each area relied on natural snow.

The New York Times - Travel

His odds of re-election later this year were meager.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Research grants were meager--we'd never heard of multimillion-dollar research grants in those days.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "were meager" with a specific consequence or result. Example: "The supplies were meager, leading to widespread rationing."

Common error

While "were meager" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Instead, consider more precise or sophisticated synonyms such as "were insufficient" or "were inadequate" to convey a more nuanced meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were meager" functions as a copular verb phrase where "were" (the past tense of "to be") links the subject to the adjective "meager", describing a state of being. It indicates that something possessed a quality of being insufficient or inadequate. According to Ludwig AI, the usage is valid and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

17%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were meager" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that something was insufficient or inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples from diverse sources, primarily from News & Media and Science. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, more formal synonyms like "were insufficient" or "were inadequate" may be preferred in highly formal contexts. To enhance writing, ensure the consequence of the limited quantity is clear and avoid overuse in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were scant

Replaces "meager" with a synonym indicating a small amount.

were sparse

Emphasizes the scattered and limited nature of something.

were insufficient

Highlights the inadequacy of something for a specific purpose.

were inadequate

Similar to "insufficient" but can also imply a lack of quality.

were limited

Focuses on the restricted quantity or extent.

were paltry

Suggests something is insignificant or worthless.

were deficient

Highlights a lack of something essential or necessary.

were exiguous

A more formal and less common synonym for "meager".

were thin

Implies a lack of substance or depth.

were slim

Suggests a small chance or possibility.

FAQs

What does "were meager" mean?

The phrase "were meager" means that something was deficient, scanty, or insufficient in quantity or quality. It suggests a lack or scarcity of something.

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

You can use "were meager" to describe a variety of things that are lacking or insufficient. For example, "The resources "were meager", so we had to make do with what we had."

What are some alternatives to "were meager"?

Some alternatives to "were meager" include "were scant", "were sparse", "were insufficient", or "were paltry" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "were meager" or "were insufficient"?

Both "were meager" and "were insufficient" are correct, but "were insufficient" might be more appropriate in formal contexts, while "were meager" can be used in both formal and informal settings. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.