were not deliberate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not deliberate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that certain actions or decisions were unintentional or not planned. Example: "The mistakes in the report were not deliberate; they were simply a result of oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Many Iraqi journalists say the deaths were intentional but American authorities have said they were not deliberate.

The New York Times

Reynolds told the Bulldogs' website that such incidents were not deliberate acts of foul play but by-products of his passion.

The Guardian - Sport

David Fisher, senior OFT director for consumer credit, said: "These issues were not deliberate misconduct, but the institutions concerned should have ensured they were complying with the law.

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Zain's defense has been that general practices in the state police crime laboratory had left it ripe for errors, that he was not the only one making errors and that his errors were not deliberate.

The New York Times

"If you say these killings were not deliberate and were mistakes, how can you explain the fact that there were so many of these incidents?" asked Park Myung-lim, a historian at Yonsei University in Seoul.

The New York Times

The mistakes were not deliberate, according to a person with direct knowledge of the review, who also noted that the extent of the problem was small and that other banks were encountering their own issues with the review.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Judge Polozola then announced an inquiry and said the jurors were not deliberating.

The New York Times

That was not deliberate.

The New Yorker

It was not deliberate.

The New York Times

It is not deliberate.

The Guardian

Of course, this is not deliberate.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were not deliberate" to clearly convey that an action or outcome was unintentional, especially when addressing potential blame or responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "were not deliberate" when the action resulted from negligence or lack of due diligence. Deliberate actions are intentional, while negligence implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, regardless of intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not deliberate" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that an action or event occurred without intention or premeditation. Ludwig AI confirms its use in negating intentionality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not deliberate" serves to negate intention, clarifying that an action or outcome was unintentional. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While grammatically sound and commonly used, understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts is key. Key considerations include using it to mitigate blame, avoiding its use when negligence is involved, and recognizing that alternative phrases like "were unintentional" or "were accidental" might offer subtle but significant differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unintentional

Focuses on the absence of intent, implying actions happened by accident.

were accidental

Highlights that the events occurred by chance or without any design.

were not intentional

Emphasizes that the actions were not done on purpose or with prior planning.

were inadvertent

Suggests that the actions were due to oversight or a lack of attention.

were not purposeful

Highlights the lack of a specific goal or aim behind the actions.

were not designed

Emphasizes that the events were not pre-planned or structured in advance.

were not calculated

Implies that the consequences or actions were not carefully considered or planned.

were not pre-planned

Directly states the absence of any prior arrangements or scheduling.

were not contrived

Highlights the lack of artificiality or manipulation in the events.

were not premeditated

Stresses the absence of prior thought or deliberation before the actions.

FAQs

What does "were not deliberate" mean?

The phrase "were not deliberate" means that actions or outcomes happened unintentionally or without any prior planning. It emphasizes the absence of intent.

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

You can use "were not deliberate" to clarify that mistakes or unintended consequences occurred without malicious intent. For example, "The errors in the calculation "were not deliberate"; they were due to a simple oversight."

What are some alternatives to "were not deliberate"?

Alternatives to "were not deliberate" include phrases like "were unintentional", "were accidental", or "were inadvertent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "were not deliberate" or "were unintentional"?

Both "were not deliberate" and "were unintentional" are correct. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Were not deliberate" emphasizes the absence of planning, while "were unintentional" simply means the action was not done on purpose.