were mended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were mended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was repaired or fixed in the past, often referring to physical objects or relationships. Example: "After the argument, their friendship was finally were mended, and they were able to move forward together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Windows were mended and rice replaced the barley.

The Guardian

Some rust was removed and a few tears in the fabric were mended, that was all.

The New York Times - Science

The spine folds were mended with thin Japanese tissue and the pamphlet was resewn through its original sewing holes (right).

Columbia University

At the last check, several machines were broken, but "unfortunately" assessments couldn't be postponed until they were mended.

The Guardian - Opinion

She got close enough to Thoreau's wicker bed frame to see the places that were mended with string.

The New Yorker

In this early phase of the project, tears in the unlined prints in the collection were mended, and polyester sleeves were created for them.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He got home and they were mending the windows".

The New York Times - Magazine

"My shirt is mended.

The New Yorker

The windows have been mended.

The Economist

Will fences be mended?

The Guardian - Books

Can this situation be mended?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were mended" to describe the passive act of repairing something that was broken or damaged, particularly when the agent doing the mending is not specified or is unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "were mended" when the active voice is more appropriate and clearer. For example, instead of "The fences were mended by the team", consider "The team mended the fences".

Linguistic Context

"Were mended" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being repaired. This is confirmed by Ludwig examples, where the phrase describes items or relationships undergoing repair. Ludwig AI also confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were mended" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that describes an action of repair or restoration. Ludwig examples confirm its use across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Ludwig AI also validates its grammatical correctness.

It's important to use "were mended" when the focus is on the object being repaired rather than the agent performing the action. Alternatives like "were repaired" or "were fixed" can be used interchangeably depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid misusing it in active voice constructions for clearer and more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were repaired

Replaces "mended" with a more general term for fixing something.

were fixed

Similar to "repaired", but often implies a simpler or more immediate solution.

were restored

Suggests bringing something back to its original condition.

were patched up

Implies a quick or temporary fix.

were corrected

Focuses on removing errors or faults.

were improved

Indicates a general betterment or enhancement.

were rectified

A more formal term for correcting something.

were healed

Used when referring to emotional or relational wounds being repaired.

were renovated

Suggests a more extensive and modern repair or restoration.

were refurbished

Implies cleaning, repairing, and redecorating something.

FAQs

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

Use "were mended" to describe something that has been repaired. For example, "The tears in the fabric "were mended" carefully".

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

Alternatives include "were repaired", "were fixed", or "were restored", depending on the specific context.

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

No, "was mended" is used for singular subjects, while "were mended" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The tear was mended", but "The holes "were mended"".

What's the difference between "were mended" and "had been mended"?

"Were mended" indicates a simple past passive action, while "had been mended" indicates a past perfect passive action. For example, "The clothes "were mended" yesterday" versus "The clothes had been mended before she wore them".