were not appreciated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not appreciated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was not valued or recognized positively, often in the context of actions, efforts, or contributions. Example: "Despite their hard work, their efforts were not appreciated by the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

He noted that his musical experiments were not appreciated by his neighbors or landlady.

The New York Times - Arts

"A dangerous situation developed, whose implications for ethics and morality were not appreciated in time".

The New York Times

But the risks, the book reveals, were not appreciated by Mr Burstow.

Independent

During most of this period, there were no reports of curassows from northeastern Brazil, and the differences between nominate mitu and tuberosum were not appreciated.

Cornell University

Elizabeth's ease of manner and enthusiastic approach to life were what the Duke responded to and loved in her; but these characteristics were not appreciated by his family.

The Guardian

Chithira was discharged from the clinic despite having vomited, feeling dizzy and displaying symptoms that "were not appreciated as potentially sinister", the west London coroner's court heard.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"They weren't appreciated by the administration at the time," he said.

The New York Times

"Up until the late '90s, these kinds of houses weren't appreciated, whatsoever," Holdeman said.

The New York Times

Their exuberance was not appreciated.

The New Yorker

And personal questions are not appreciated.

The New York Times

That argument was not appreciated by Condi.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not appreciated", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what failed to recognize the value or importance of something. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were not appreciated" when an active construction would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The gift was not appreciated", consider "She did not appreciate the gift."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not appreciated" functions as a passive construction indicating that something was not valued or recognized positively. As seen in Ludwig, this typically appears when describing actions, efforts, or contributions that did not receive due recognition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not appreciated" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote a lack of recognition or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, spanning from news and media to academia and science. While often used passively, consider active voice for more directness. Common alternatives include "were undervalued" or "went unacknowledged". When using "were not appreciated", clarify the lacking appreciation's source for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to be valued

Directly states the absence of perceived worth.

were undervalued

Emphasizes that the true worth or significance was less than it deserved.

were unrecognised

Highlights that something was not identified or acknowledged for its value or importance.

went unacknowledged

Focuses on the lack of formal or public acknowledgement of something.

did not receive credit

Implies a failure to attribute praise or recognition to someone or something.

were overlooked

Indicates that something was missed or not given sufficient attention.

were taken for granted

Suggests that something was assumed to be available and thus not properly valued.

were disregarded

Stresses that something was ignored or treated as unimportant.

were not esteemed

Conveys a lack of high regard or respect.

met with indifference

Indicates a lack of interest or concern, suggesting a failure to appreciate.

FAQs

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

You can use "were not appreciated" to indicate that something was undervalued or not recognized for its worth. For example: "Her efforts "were not appreciated" by her colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "were not appreciated"?

Alternatives include "were undervalued", "went unacknowledged", or "were overlooked", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "appreciate"?

While "were not appreciated" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "they did not appreciate") can often make your writing more direct and impactful.

What's the difference between "were not appreciated" and "were unappreciated"?

"Were not appreciated" emphasizes the act of failing to recognize value, while "were unappreciated" simply states the lack of recognition. The former implies a more active failure to value something.