were not handed in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not handed in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, typically assignments or documents, was not submitted or delivered as required. Example: "The reports were not handed in by the deadline, which caused delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The additional study materials that the students generated, if any, were not handed in or graded.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Because my body belongs to ME--at every phase, in every iteration, and whatever I'm doing with it, I'm not handing in my feminist card to anyone.

Huffington Post

Because my body belongs to ME ― at every phase, in every iteration, and whatever I'm doing with it, I'm not handing in my feminist card to anyone," she continued.

Huffington Post

Lecture notes were not available via any other method (e.g., they were not handed out in class).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Annington can claim "dilapidations" from the MoD if properties are not handed back in "good and tenantable" repair.

The Guardian

Your sentence was not handed down in a vacuum.

Huffington Post

Some centres are mailing questionnaires to patients after discharge when they are not handed out in hospital.

BMJ Open

"They're not handing out bread in the great depression".

Vice

No next steps are possible that are not taken hand in hand with an engaged citizenry.

Huffington Post

But there was not a hand in sight in the audience of about 100.

The New York Times

As a result, resource inefficiencies occur (costly labour delays) when the required quantity or quality of drawings or materials is not on hand in fabrication and on-site.

Procedia CIRP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not handed in", ensure the context clearly indicates what was expected to be submitted. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not handed in" when an active voice construction would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The homework were not handed in by the students", use "The students did not hand in the homework".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not handed in" functions as a passive construction indicating that something was not submitted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It highlights the absence of an action (submission) rather than who performed it.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not handed in" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating that something was not submitted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a passive construction with a neutral register, commonly found in scientific, news, and formal contexts. While not overly formal, it effectively conveys the absence of submission. For alternatives, consider "were not submitted" or "were not turned in" to tailor the tone to your specific needs. Be mindful of using an active voice for increased clarity and ensuring the subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not submitted

Replaces "handed in" with a more formal synonym, "submitted".

were not turned in

Uses the phrasal verb "turn in" as a more informal alternative to "handed in".

were not delivered

Focuses on the act of delivering something, rather than the act of handing it physically.

were not provided

Emphasizes the lack of provision or supply.

were not given

Highlights the act of giving or presenting something.

were not presented

Similar to 'given', but implies a more formal setting or context.

were not furnished

A more formal term suggesting that something was not supplied or equipped.

were not passed in

Similar to "handed in" but less common.

were not remitted

A more technical term, particularly applicable in financial or legal contexts.

were not tendered

Implies a formal offer or submission, often used in legal or commercial settings.

FAQs

What does "were not handed in" mean?

The phrase "were not handed in" means that something was expected to be submitted or delivered, but it was not. It often refers to assignments, documents, or other items that should have been given to someone.

What can I say instead of "were not handed in"?

You can use alternatives like "were not submitted", "were not turned in", or "were not delivered" depending on the context.

Is "were not handed in" formal or informal?

The phrase "were not handed in" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. More formal alternatives include "were not submitted" or "were not presented".

Which is correct, "were not handed in" or "was not handed in"?

The correct form depends on whether you're referring to a plural or singular subject. Use "were not handed in" for plural subjects (e.g., "The assignments were not handed in") and "was not handed in" for singular subjects (e.g., "The report was not handed in").