were not done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not been completed or finished, often in a past context. Example: "The reports were not done by the deadline, which caused delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Millwall were not done.

The Guardian - Sport

The Rangers were not done.

The New York Times - Sports

Such things were not done.

The Economist

Alas, Toulon were not done.

The Guardian - Sport

The Knicks were not done.

The New York Times - Sports

The Phillies were not done.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees were not done.

The New York Times - Sports

They were not done there.

The Guardian - Sport

But the Rockies were not done.

The New York Times - Sports

The Americans were not done liberating.

The New Yorker

But the insurgents were not done.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not done", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not completed. For example, "The revisions were not done before the deadline" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not done" when the intention is to express that something should not be done at all. For example, instead of "Those kinds of things were not done", consider "Those kinds of things should not be done."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not done" functions as a passive construction indicating that a particular action or task was not completed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not done" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express that something was not completed. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its application in various scenarios, emphasizing its clear and straightforward meaning. Alternatives like "had not finished" or "were incomplete" offer similar meanings, providing options for nuanced expression while avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had not finished

Focuses on the lack of completion, emphasizing the action's progress.

were incomplete

Highlights the state of being unfinished, suggesting missing parts or elements.

remained unfinished

Emphasizes the continuing state of being incomplete over a period of time.

were still in progress

Indicates that the action was ongoing and not yet concluded.

were yet to be completed

Stresses the future aspect of the completion, implying a task remains.

had not concluded

Focuses on the lack of a final resolution or end point.

were uncompleted

A more direct synonym, though less frequently used.

were outstanding

Suggests that tasks were left undone or pending.

were left undone

Highlights the passive nature of tasks not being completed, possibly implying neglect.

were not finalized

Specifically indicates that the final stage or approval has not been reached.

FAQs

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

You can use "were not done" to indicate that something was not completed or finished. For example, "The experiments "were not done" due to a lack of resources".

What is a good alternative to "were not done"?

Alternatives include "had not finished", "were incomplete", or "remained unfinished", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was not done" for singular subjects (e.g., "The report was not done"), and "were not done" for plural subjects (e.g., "The reports "were not done"").

What's the difference between "were not done" and "were unfinished"?

"Were unfinished" and ""were not done"" are often interchangeable, but "were unfinished" may subtly imply that the item or task is still in a state of incompletion, whereas "were not done" simply states it was not completed.