were more prevalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were more prevalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that was more common or widespread in the past compared to another time or condition. Example: "In the early 2000s, certain social media platforms were more prevalent among teenagers than they are today."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Personal music systems were more prevalent.

Independent

Until 1999 military coups were more prevalent than ballots.

The Economist

Only conversations about glitzy parties were more prevalent on social media.

The Guardian - Film

Cases were more prevalent east of the Connecticut River, where there were more deer.

The New York Times - Health

While normal crises were more prevalent in the 1980s, abnormal accidents dominated the 1990s.

Harvard Business Review

Irregular cycles were more prevalent in the cases (24% vs 7%, P =.006).

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Cognitive disturbances were more prevalent and severe in women among Chinese Parkinson's disease patients.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience

Among the menders, knees, back and shoulders problems were more prevalent compared to other body regions.

Applied Ergonomics

Fever and postnasal discharge were more prevalent in group I (pd 0.001).

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Adaptive opportunities were more prevalent than sensitivities in the LEED-NC rating system.

Building and Environment

Women were more prevalent to report the disability and had extra years of life with disability compared to men.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were more prevalent", ensure you clearly define the context and comparison group. For example, specify "X was more prevalent in group A than in group B" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "were more prevalent" without specifying the timeframe or population. For instance, stating "headaches were more prevalent" lacks specific context; instead, clarify by saying, "headaches were more prevalent among students during exam periods".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were more prevalent" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating that something occurred with greater frequency or was more widespread in a particular context. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it's often used to compare the occurrence of phenomena, conditions, or items across different groups or time periods. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

29%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were more prevalent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something was more common or widespread in a specific context or time. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent across academic, scientific, and news media sources, reinforcing its formal and neutral register. When using "were more prevalent", be mindful of providing sufficient context for clarity. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase's correctness and usability. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express similar comparative ideas, and awareness of common errors like overgeneralization can further refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were more common

This alternative is a direct synonym, suggesting a higher frequency or occurrence.

were more widespread

This alternative emphasizes the broad distribution or reach of something.

were more frequent

This alternative highlights the increased rate or regularity of occurrence.

were more abundant

This alternative suggests a greater quantity or supply.

were more pervasive

This alternative emphasizes the extensive influence or spread of something throughout an area or group.

were more commonplace

This alternative suggests that something was ordinary and not unusual.

were more popular

This alternative indicates a greater level of acceptance or preference.

were more predominant

This alternative emphasizes the superior influence or control of something.

became more prevalent

This alternative focuses on the process of increasing in frequency or occurrence.

were increasingly common

This alternative highlights the ongoing increase in frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "were more prevalent" in a sentence?

Use "were more prevalent" to indicate that something occurred more often or was more common in a specific context or time period. For example, "Laptops "were more prevalent" in offices than typewriters by the late 1990s."

What can I say instead of "were more prevalent"?

You can use alternatives like "were more common", "were more frequent", or "were more widespread" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "became more prevalent" instead of "were more prevalent"?

Yes, "became more prevalent" is correct when describing a trend or a change over time. It indicates that something increased in frequency or occurrence.

What's the difference between "were more prevalent" and "were most prevalent"?

"Were more prevalent" indicates a higher occurrence compared to something else, while "were most prevalent" indicates the highest occurrence among all options. "Were most prevalent" implies a superlative comparison.