were not accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were not accepted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was not accepted or allowed. Example: The student's request for an extension on the assignment were not accepted by the professor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bribes were not accepted.

The Guardian - Travel

Those ideas were not accepted.

The New York Times

Credit cards and PayPal were not accepted.

The New York Times

"We were not accepted," he said.

The New York Times

She and 17 others were not accepted.

The New York Times - Arts

But each time, their cards were not accepted.

The New York Times - Travel

Those who were not accepted received a simpler message.

The New York Times

"Their actions were not accepted by the rest of the world".

The New York Times - Sports

In some cases, these requests were not accepted due to data differences.

The New York Times

After an anonymous peer-review process, the papers were not accepted.

The New Yorker

Old people went there who had had a hard life and were not accepted anywhere else.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not accepted", ensure that the subject clearly indicates what was being considered for acceptance. For example, "The proposed changes were not accepted by the committee" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was not accepted" when referring to plural subjects. For instance, instead of "The applications was not accepted", use "The applications were not accepted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not accepted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was refused or rejected by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI shows its usage in various contexts, reflecting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not accepted" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate rejection or refusal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and diverse usage across various contexts. It's crucial to maintain subject-verb agreement and consider synonyms like "were rejected" or "were declined" depending on the desired formality. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science, reflecting its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were rejected

This alternative replaces "accepted" with "rejected", maintaining a direct synonymy and a high degree of interchangeability.

were not approved

Indicates a lack of official endorsement or permission.

were declined

Using "declined" implies a formal refusal or rejection, suitable in professional or official settings.

were refused

This suggests a more direct and possibly forceful rejection.

were deemed unacceptable

This alternative highlights that something was considered not satisfactory or allowable.

were turned down

The phrasal verb "turned down" indicates a rejection of an offer or proposal.

were disallowed

"Disallowed" indicates that something was not permitted, often within a set of rules or regulations.

were not sanctioned

Implies a lack of formal authorization or permission.

did not pass muster

This idiom means something did not meet the required standard or approval.

were found wanting

Suggests something was assessed and found to be inadequate or deficient.

FAQs

How can I use "were not accepted" in a sentence?

You can use "were not accepted" to indicate that something has been refused or rejected. For instance, "The terms of the contract "were not accepted" by the board".

What is a synonym for "were not accepted"?

Alternatives include "were rejected", "were declined", or "were refused". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "was not accepted" instead of "were not accepted"?

No, "was not accepted" should be used with singular nouns, while "were not accepted" is appropriate for plural nouns. For example, "The proposal was not accepted", but "The proposals "were not accepted"".

What does it mean when something "were not accepted"?

It signifies that something was presented or proposed but did not receive approval or agreement. It implies a lack of acceptance by an individual or group.