were not kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not kept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not maintained, preserved, or adhered to in the past. Example: "The promises made during the meeting were not kept, leading to disappointment among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Those promises were not kept.

The New York Times

"These were promises that were not kept.

The Guardian - Sport

Official records of this kind were not kept.

The New Yorker

Individual statistics were not kept, except within players' heads.

The New York Times - Magazine

Similarly, historical and contemporary geography were not kept separate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Detainees were not kept shackled in their cells.

The Economist

(The less-favorable comments, she admits, were not kept).

The New York Times

"The city's sworn promises to the I.R.S. were not kept," Brodsky said Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Squatting originates from the days where land ownership records were not kept.

The Guardian

He said records of the racial makeup of the organization were not kept.

The New York Times

Experts said that although specific records were not kept, such events were very rare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were not kept", ensure that the subject of the sentence clearly identifies what was not maintained, honored, or preserved. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the subject of the sentence explicitly refers to what "were not kept". Vague subjects can lead to confusion about what failed to be maintained or honored.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not kept" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was not maintained, preserved, or adhered to. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from broken promises to unmaintained records.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not kept" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that something was not maintained, honored, or preserved. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. While versatile, clarity is key to avoid ambiguity by ensuring the subject of the sentence explicitly refers to what failed to be maintained or honored. Alternatives like "weren't honored" or "weren't fulfilled" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Science and Wiki.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weren't honored

Direct synonym, focusing on the lack of respect or adherence to an agreement or promise.

weren't fulfilled

Highlights the failure to bring something to completion or realization.

weren't upheld

Implies a failure to maintain or defend a standard or principle.

weren't observed

Focuses on the lack of adherence to rules, customs, or laws.

weren't followed

Emphasizes a deviation from a prescribed path or set of instructions.

weren't respected

Indicates a lack of consideration or value given to something.

weren't preserved

Stresses the failure to protect or maintain something in its original condition.

weren't maintained

Focuses on the lack of upkeep or care, leading to a decline in condition.

weren't heeded

Highlights that advice, warnings, or instructions were ignored.

weren't implemented

Indicates a failure to put a plan or system into effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "were not kept" to indicate that something was not maintained, honored, or fulfilled. For example, "The promises "were not kept", leading to disappointment."

What is a synonym for "were not kept"?

Synonyms include "weren't honored", "weren't fulfilled", or "weren't upheld" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "were not kept" or "weren't kept"?

"Were not kept" is slightly more formal than "weren't kept", which is a contraction. The choice depends on the tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between "were not kept" and "was not kept"?

"Were not kept" is used with plural subjects (e.g., promises), while "was not kept" is used with singular subjects (e.g., the secret). For example, "The secrets "were not kept"," versus "The secret "was not kept"."