were not immune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not immune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was affected by a particular influence or condition, suggesting a lack of protection or resistance. Example: "Despite their efforts to stay healthy, they were not immune to the flu that swept through the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Architects were not immune from whimsical execution.

The New York Times - Magazine

■ Even eBay auctions were not immune.

The New York Times

Even Bolshevik apparatchiks were not immune.

The Guardian - Books

They woke on Sunday to find they were not immune.

The New York Times

But even we were not immune to his charm.

The Guardian

The big boats were not immune to problems, however.

The New York Times - Sports

Male reporters were not immune from their overlords' antediluvian attitudes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even so-called franchise movies were not immune.

The New York Times

They were not immune to the changing times.

The Guardian - Arts

And this year's Peabody board members were not immune to programs with lighter, ironic sensibilities.

The New York Times - Arts

Saracens' headline England acts were not immune from the malaise that plagued the opening period.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were not immune" to clearly convey that a person, group, or thing was affected by something, especially when there might have been an expectation of resilience or protection. For example, "Even experienced investors were not immune to the market crash."

Common error

Ensure correct subject-verb agreement. If the subject is singular, use "was not immune" instead of "were not immune". For example, "The company was not immune to the effects of the recession."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not immune" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating a lack of resistance or susceptibility to a particular influence or condition. Ludwig shows this phrase appearing in various contexts, highlighting its role in describing vulnerability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not immune" is a versatile phrase used to express a lack of resistance or susceptibility to something. Ludwig's examples confirm that it is grammatically sound and frequently used in news and media, as well as in academic and business contexts. The phrase functions as a predicate adjective, effectively conveying the idea that someone or something was affected despite potential expectations to the contrary. When using this phrase, ensure correct subject-verb agreement (using "was" for singular subjects) and consider alternative phrases like "were susceptible" or "were vulnerable" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were susceptible

Focuses on the vulnerability to be affected or harmed by something.

were vulnerable

Highlights the lack of defense against a particular threat or influence.

could not escape

Emphasizes the inability to avoid a certain outcome or situation.

were not exempt

Indicates that a rule or condition applied to them, despite possible expectations to the contrary.

were not resistant

Directly states the lack of resistance to a specific effect or agent.

were prone to

Suggests a natural tendency or likelihood to be affected.

were subject to

Implies being under the authority or control of something, leading to the effect.

could not avoid

Highlights the inevitability of encountering or experiencing something.

were open to

Suggests accessibility or exposure to influences.

were at risk of

Focuses on the potential danger or harm associated with something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were not immune" is used to indicate that something or someone was affected by a particular influence or condition, suggesting a lack of protection or resistance. For example, "Even the strongest economies "were not immune" to the global financial crisis."

What can I say instead of "were not immune"?

You can use alternatives like "were susceptible", "were vulnerable", or "could not escape" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were not immune" or "was not immune"?

"Were not immune" is used with plural subjects, while "was not immune" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They "were not immune" to the criticism" (plural) vs "He "was not immune" to the effects of the disease" (singular).

What's the difference between "were not immune" and "were not exempt"?

"Were not immune" implies a lack of resistance or protection from something, while "were not exempt" indicates that something applied to them even though they might have expected an exception. For example, "They "were not immune" to the virus" (they caught it), versus "They "were not exempt" from the new regulations" (the regulations applied to them).