were not affected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not affected" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used in the past tense and is typically used to indicate that someone or something was not changed or influenced by something else. For example: "The family was fortunate enough to have enough food stored as supplies during the pandemic, so they were not affected by food shortages."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fatalities were not affected.

The New Yorker

TV broadcasts were not affected.

The Guardian

Passenger trains were not affected.

The New York Times

Retail customers were not affected.

The Guardian - Business

Stabled animals were not affected.

The New Yorker

The physical books were not affected.

The New York Times

Tornado and Harriers were not affected.

The Guardian

The adjoining homes were not affected.

The New York Times

Other UK airports were not affected by the find.

The Guardian

Toyota in the UK said models were not affected.

The Guardian - Business

Oyster card readers on buses and trams were not affected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not affected", clearly specify what was not influenced and by what. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity. For example: "Retail customers were not affected by the policy change".

Common error

Avoid using "were not affected" vaguely. Instead of saying "The system was not affected", specify which part of the system remained unchanged. A vague statement can lead to misinterpretations and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not affected" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that the subject experienced no change or influence from a specific event or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase. Many examples in Ludwig show different parameters or functions remaining stable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not affected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific and news contexts. It serves to indicate that something remained unchanged despite potential influences. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical soundness, and various examples highlight its use in specifying what was not impacted by particular circumstances. When using this phrase, clarity is key: clearly specify what remained unaffected and by what to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "remained unaffected" or "were not impacted" can be employed for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not impacted

Uses "impacted" instead of "affected", suggesting a stronger, more forceful influence that was absent.

remained unaffected

Emphasizes the state of being unchanged over time.

were not influenced

Focuses on the lack of influence or persuasion.

were immune to

Suggests a resistance or protection against a specific effect.

were untouched by

Implies a complete absence of any effect or change.

were not altered

Highlights the absence of modification or change in form.

were not disturbed

Suggests that something wasn't disrupted or interfered with.

were exempt from

Indicates a specific exclusion from something that others experienced.

escaped the effects of

Suggests a narrow avoidance of negative consequences.

were bypassed by

Highlights a situation where something was circumvented or avoided.

FAQs

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

Use "were not affected" to indicate that something or someone remained unchanged or uninfluenced by a particular event or action. For instance, "Despite the market crash, their investments "were not affected"".

What are some alternatives to "were not affected"?

You can use phrases like "remained unaffected", "were not impacted", or "were untouched by" as alternatives, depending on the context.

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

"Was not affected" is used for singular subjects, while "were not affected" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The single tree was not affected by the storm", but "The other trees "were not affected"".

What's the difference between "were not affected" and "were unaffected"?

"Were not affected" implies a specific event or influence that did not cause a change. "Were unaffected" is a more general statement of being unchanged, without necessarily referencing a particular cause.