were not afforded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not afforded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not given or provided to someone or something. Example: "The students were not afforded the opportunity to participate in the advanced program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Presidential candidates were not afforded special treatment.

The New York Times

Ms. Chen's survivors were not afforded the same access.

The New York Times

QPR were not afforded the same generosity by Thibaut Courtois.

The Guardian - Sport

The breezes, however, were not afforded by ticking the Landaulet option on the order sheet.

The New York Times

We regret that we were not afforded the opportunity to take part in informing his coverage of us".

The New York Times - Sports

As a small company we were not afforded the possibility to setup overseas offices so we've had to develop a multi-region sales strategy from the United Kingdom.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Conversely, respected directors Ava DuVernay and Edgar Wright weren't afforded that freedom by Marvel, and abandoned ship as a result, citing "creative differences".

The Guardian - Film

While other animals have had camouflage for eons, humans weren't afforded the same biological advantage.

Huffington Post

But I'm not afforded these mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

We're not afforded that luxury.

The New Yorker

At the very least, they are not afforded many breaks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not afforded", ensure that the subject clearly identifies who or what was lacking the specified opportunity, privilege, or access. For example, "The defendants were not afforded adequate legal representation."

Common error

Avoid using "were not afforded" in active voice constructions. The phrase is inherently passive, so ensure the sentence structure reflects this. Incorrect: "The system were not afforded them access." Correct: "They were not afforded access by the system."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not afforded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence did not receive a particular opportunity, privilege, or form of treatment. As per Ludwig, this phrase is frequently encountered in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

19%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not afforded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice phrase that expresses the denial of an opportunity, privilege, or right. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across news, scientific, and general contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what was denied something and that the passive voice construction is maintained. Alternatives such as "were denied" or "did not receive" can provide similar meanings with slight nuances. "Were not afforded" implies a lack of opportunity, often with connotations of injustice, making it suited to formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were denied

Replaces "afforded" with a more direct term for refusal or withholding.

did not receive

Emphasizes the lack of receipt of something expected or deserved.

were not granted

Focuses on the act of formally permitting or allowing something.

were refused

Highlights the denial of a request or expectation.

were lacking

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something needed.

were without

Stresses the absence or deprivation of something.

were deprived of

Highlights the act of taking something away from someone.

were not privileged to

Emphasizes the lack of a special right or advantage.

were not in receipt of

A more formal way of saying "did not receive."

were not entitled to

Focuses on the absence of a legal or moral right to something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence “They were not afforded the same opportunities”?

You can use alternatives like “They "were denied the same opportunities"”, “They "did not receive the same opportunities"”, or “They "were not granted the same opportunities"” depending on the context.

What is the difference between “were not afforded” and “were not given”?

While both phrases indicate a lack of something, “"were not afforded"” often implies a lack of opportunity or privilege, whereas “"were not given"” is a more general term for not receiving something. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say “was not afforded” instead of “were not afforded”?

Yes, but the choice depends on the subject. Use “was not afforded” for singular subjects (e.g., “He was not afforded the chance”) and “"were not afforded"” for plural subjects (e.g., “They were not afforded the chance”).

What does it mean when someone says they “were not afforded due process”?

It means that the person did not receive the legal rights and procedures that are guaranteed to them under the law. This can include the right to a fair trial, the right to legal representation, and the right to present evidence.