Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
were not excluded
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "were not excluded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that certain individuals or items were included in a group or consideration, rather than being left out. Example: "All participants in the study were not excluded from the final analysis, ensuring comprehensive results."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Academia
Alternative expressions(20)
were not immune
were not disclosed
were subjected to
were not assuaged
were not insured
were included
were part of
were not included
were not allowed
were not convinced
were not satisfied
did not escape
were incorporated
were retained
were not saved
fell victim to
were not removed
were considered
were not exempt
were not secured
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
They were not excluded from the analyses.
Fifth, several rare causes of TCH were not excluded properly.
Patients were not excluded if they presented more than once.
Three people failed to specify gender but were not excluded.
Science
Controlled medical conditions and smoking status were not excluded.
Nine people did not specify ethnicity but were not excluded.
Science
Patients with major psychiatric diseases or alcohol or substance use disorders were not excluded.
Academia
Breastfeeding women were not excluded.
Science
The 'abnormal' seminiferous tubules were not excluded from these analyses.
Science
Teenagers were not excluded.
Science
These participants were not excluded.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "were not excluded", ensure the context clearly specifies the criteria for potential exclusion to avoid ambiguity. For example, clarify what characteristics might have led to exclusion but did not.
Common error
Avoid using "were not excluded" without clearly defining the criteria for exclusion. Without specific criteria, the statement becomes meaningless and doesn't provide useful information about the selection process or the characteristics of the included subjects or items.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "were not excluded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that certain items or individuals were not subjected to the act of exclusion. As Ludwig AI suggests, this construction implies a deliberate decision or process where exclusion was a possibility, but it did not occur.
Frequent in
Science
60%
Academia
30%
Formal & Business
5%
Less common in
News & Media
3%
Encyclopedias
1%
Wiki
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "were not excluded" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in scientific and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that certain elements were considered for exclusion but ultimately retained. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the criteria that could have led to exclusion. While alternatives like "were included" exist, "were not excluded" is preferred when highlighting potential reasons for omission. Understanding its function and purpose allows for more precise and effective communication in various writing scenarios.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
were not removed
Directly states the absence of removal, similar to the original phrase.
were not omitted
Highlights the absence of omission, emphasizing completeness.
remained included
Emphasizes the continued state of being included.
were kept in
Focuses on maintaining inclusion rather than avoiding exclusion.
were retained
Implies a deliberate decision to keep something or someone included.
were left in
Suggests a passive inclusion, where no action was taken to remove.
were encompassed
Implies a broad inclusion, covering a wide range of items or individuals.
were incorporated
Suggests a more active process of adding something into a whole.
were factored in
Suggests that something was included as a factor in a calculation or decision.
were considered
Indicates that something was taken into account, not necessarily excluded.
FAQs
How can I use "were not excluded" in a sentence?
You can use "were not excluded" to indicate that certain items or individuals met the inclusion criteria for a study or analysis, like: "Patients with pre-existing conditions "were not excluded" from the trial".
What's a good alternative to "were not excluded"?
Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were included", "were retained", or "were kept in" to convey a similar meaning.
Is it better to say "were included" or "were not excluded"?
Both phrases can be correct, but "were not excluded" is often used when there's a specific reason why some items or individuals might have been removed. "Were included" is a more general statement of inclusion.
What does it mean when a study says participants "were not excluded"?
It means that the participants met the study's criteria for inclusion and did not possess any characteristics that would have disqualified them, such as specific health conditions or age ranges. Researchers explicitly state this to ensure transparency.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested