were narrowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were narrowed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where options, choices, or perspectives have been reduced or limited in some way. Example: "After the discussion, the possible solutions were narrowed to just two viable options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

After the first round, the contestants were narrowed to 50, then to a dozen finalists.

The New York Times

Her eyes were narrowed in concentration, her ears alert for the slightest sound.

The New Yorker

ramidus were narrowed by the discovery of Au. anamensis in 1995.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pavements were narrowed from 36 feet to 26 feet, providing "a pleasant sense of bustle".

The Economist

Fairways were narrowed, many of them changing direction slightly in midstream.

The New York Times - Sports

Some 100 entries were narrowed down by faculty members, and 25 were sent to The Times.

The New York Times

But the "differences coming in were narrowed," the official said, declining to elaborate.

The New York Times

Scientists initially identified 100 possible landing sites, which were narrowed down to four finalists.

The New York Times - Science

The shortlisted films were narrowed down from 124 eligible entries after a vote by the Ampas documentary branch.

The Guardian - Film

Thousands of singers from across the Arab world were narrowed down to 12 finalists from seven different countries, then two.

The New York Times

That marked a change from the pattern of the previous two quarters, when losses were narrowed by late recoveries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were narrowed" when you want to emphasize that a selection or range has been deliberately reduced, often after a process of evaluation or elimination. For example: "The candidates for the job were narrowed after the first round of interviews."

Common error

Avoid using "were narrowed" when describing actions that cannot be reversed or reduced. For example, it's incorrect to say "The damage were narrowed", because damage usually cannot be undone completely. Instead, consider using phrases like "were mitigated" or "were lessened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were narrowed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has undergone a process of reduction or limitation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable. This is supported by numerous examples in the search data where it is used to describe the reduction of options, candidates, or possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were narrowed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that conveys a reduction or limitation in scope. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the extensive examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While it is appropriate for neutral register, it's crucial to avoid using it with actions that cannot be reversed. Understanding its function and purpose enables writers to effectively convey the process of refinement and decision-making in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were reduced

Indicates a decrease in number or extent.

were limited

Implies a restriction or constraint on the options or scope.

were decreased

Suggests a lessening in quantity or degree.

were curtailed

Denotes a reduction or restriction, often sudden or unexpected.

were diminished

Indicates a gradual decrease in importance or size.

were constricted

Implies a tightening or compression, leading to a reduction in space or freedom.

were abridged

Suggests a shortening or condensing of something, like a text or a process.

were condensed

Indicates that something has been made smaller or more compact.

were trimmed

Implies the removal of unnecessary parts to reduce the overall size.

were whittled down

Suggests a gradual reduction through careful selection or elimination.

FAQs

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

You can use "were narrowed" to indicate that a range of options or a set of possibilities has been reduced. For example: "The list of potential suppliers "was narrowed" after careful consideration".

What are some alternatives to using "were narrowed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were reduced", "were limited", or "were decreased" as alternatives to "were narrowed".

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

No, "was narrowed" is used with singular subjects, while "were narrowed" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The list was narrowed" (singular) versus "The options were narrowed" (plural).

What is the difference between "were narrowed" and "were filtered"?

"Were narrowed" implies a reduction in scope or quantity, often through a selection process. "Were filtered", on the other hand, suggests that items were removed based on specific criteria, which may or may not result in a smaller quantity. In many cases, they "could be interchangeable".