were not delivered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not delivered" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the past tense of the verb "to deliver," which means to bring something to a place. For example: The cakes that we ordered for the party were not delivered in time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Letters to her daughter were not delivered but simply disappeared.

The New Yorker

Because the people have been badly let down by it and the promises were not delivered".

The Guardian

I.I.T. Rajasthan's eagerly awaited testing criteria were not delivered until mid-January.

The New York Times

Fabrazyme doses for August were not delivered at all to American patients.

The New York Times

These results were not delivered by direct mail from on high, but by community campaigning on the ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

But these promises to people with a learning disability and their families were not delivered by this June.

The Guardian

"Thereby 18 bags, on a plane with only 70 seats, were not delivered until the next day.

Independent

The shah ordered, and paid for, American military goods and services which, after the 1979 revolution, were not delivered.

The Economist

"We are advising many people, including several former footballers, who have faced calls for cash and suffered serious financial difficulties after promised returns from schemes were not delivered".

The Guardian

A Bristol city council spokesman said services to 75% of home care clients were suspended and 85% of meals on wheels were not delivered.

The Guardian

First conceived in 1971, the prototype did not fly until 2004 and the first planes for active service were not delivered until 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not delivered", ensure that the context clearly specifies what was expected to be delivered and to whom. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were not delivered" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The package were not delivered by the postman", consider "The postman did not deliver the package".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not delivered" functions as the passive voice of the verb "deliver", indicating that something (the subject) did not reach its intended destination or recipient. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not delivered" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to indicate that something expected failed to arrive or be provided. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. Its function is to report a failure in a delivery process, and while its register is generally neutral, it can be adapted to different levels of formality. To enhance clarity, it's important to specify what and to whom was supposed to be delivered. When writing, consider active voice alternatives for more directness and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to be delivered

Emphasizes the failure aspect more strongly than the original phrase.

did not arrive

Focuses on the physical absence of something that was expected.

were not provided

Highlights the lack of supply or furnishing of something.

were not supplied

Similar to "were not provided", but emphasizes the act of supplying.

were not furnished

Focuses on the act of equipping or providing something necessary.

were undelivered

A more concise, adjectival form indicating the state of not being delivered.

never arrived

Highlights the fact that something expected did not reach its destination.

did not materialize

Indicates that something planned or expected did not come into being or happen.

fell through

An idiomatic expression indicating that a plan or agreement failed to happen.

were not forthcoming

Indicates a reluctance or failure to provide something needed or expected.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were not delivered" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "failed to be delivered" or "were not provided". These alternatives maintain the meaning while elevating the language.

What is a simpler way to say "were not delivered"?

If you want a simpler alternative, you can use phrases like "did not arrive" or "never arrived". These options are more direct and easier to understand.

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

Use "was not delivered" for singular subjects and "were not delivered" for plural subjects. For example, "The package was not delivered" is correct, while "The packages were not delivered" is also correct.

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

When something "were not delivered", it means that the item or service that was expected to be brought to a specific location or recipient did not reach its intended destination or fulfill its purpose.