were moved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were moved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past action where someone or something was relocated or emotionally affected. Example: "The audience were moved by the heartfelt performance of the actors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others were moved, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Activists were moved.

The Guardian - Opinion

Certain were moved.

The New York Times

Politicians were moved to act.

Independent

Many were moved to tears.

The Guardian - Opinion

131 patients were moved.

The New Yorker

These were moved under cover.

Cornell University

Unrelated items were moved in.

The New York Times - Arts

Some were moved to thank him.

The New York Times

Senators were moved to Minneapolis St.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We were moved by the material.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were moved" to describe emotional impact, ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the emotional response. For instance, "They were moved by the speaker's powerful message" is more effective than simply "They were moved."

Common error

Avoid using "were moved" when an active voice is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The company headquarters were moved by the CEO," consider "The CEO moved the company headquarters."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were moved" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent a change of location or experienced an emotional response caused by an external factor. Ludwig provides various examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were moved" is a versatile phrase commonly used to describe either the physical relocation of something or the emotional impact experienced by someone. According to Ludwig, it functions as a passive verb phrase with a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's important to consider whether an active voice might offer greater clarity. Understanding the nuances of "were moved" allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were relocated

Focuses specifically on the physical displacement or repositioning of something or someone.

were transferred

Implies a shift from one place or state to another, often within a system or organization.

were displaced

Suggests a forced or involuntary movement, often due to external circumstances.

were touched

Emphasizes the emotional impact experienced by someone, suggesting a feeling of sympathy or inspiration.

were affected

Indicates a general influence or impact, which could be emotional, physical, or otherwise.

were influenced

Highlights the act of being swayed or persuaded by something or someone.

were prompted

Suggests being instigated or motivated to take action.

were inspired

Focuses on the feeling of being motivated or encouraged, often in a creative or positive way.

were stirred

Implies a strong emotional response, often leading to action or change.

were roused

Indicates awakening from a state of inactivity or indifference, often forcefully.

FAQs

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

You can use "were moved" to describe a physical relocation, as in "The refugees "were moved" to a safer location", or an emotional response, as in "The audience "were moved" by the play's ending".

What can I say instead of "were moved"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were relocated" for physical movement, or "were touched" or "were affected" for emotional impact.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was moved" for singular subjects (e.g., "The table was moved"), and "were moved" for plural subjects (e.g., "The tables "were moved"").

What's the difference between "were moved" and "moved"?

"Were moved" is in the passive voice, indicating that the subject received the action (e.g., "The furniture "were moved" by the movers"). "Moved" in the active voice indicates that the subject performed the action (e.g., "The movers moved the furniture").