were not provided with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not provided with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was not given or supplied to someone or a group. Example: "The participants were not provided with the necessary materials for the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were not provided with any such safety.

The Guardian

He also said they were not "provided with the necessary requisites to carry out their job".

The New York Times

"We were not provided with that information," Ms. McLaughlin said, adding, "I would think we should have been".

The New York Times

(At the time, city firefighters were not provided with ropes, a policy that would change after the Bronx fire).

The New York Times

Members of the cabinet were not provided with the attorney general's full advice setting out the conflicting arguments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Members were not provided with the version before the reading began.

The New York Times

He wondered why Spanish-speaking players, many of whom struggle with English, were not provided with interpreters.

The New York Times - Sports

The researchers did not name the three firms and said that they were not provided with the identities of any account holders.

The New York Times

"It would be unfair to put the blame on Shell Canada because they were not provided with enough information," Mr. Laflamme said.

The New York Times

After boarding a plane with officials from the Greek government and the EU border agency, Frontex, the Syrians say they were not provided with any further information.

The Guardian

Civilians were not provided with information about the configuration of the stairwells and the existence of transfer hallways or smoke doors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in tense. If the context is past, ensure 'were' is correctly used. If the context requires a different tense, adjust accordingly to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "were not provided with" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "Information were not provided with them", use "They did not receive the information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not provided with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something did not receive a particular item, service, or piece of information. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse scenarios, from safety equipment to information sharing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not provided with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction indicating a lack of supply or omission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who was meant to receive what and consider using active voice constructions where appropriate to enhance directness. Alternatives such as "were not given" or "did not receive" can offer simpler or more formal variations, respectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not given

A simpler and more direct way of saying something was not supplied.

did not receive

Focuses on the act of not getting something, rather than the act of not being given something.

were not furnished with

A more formal way to express that something was not supplied.

were denied

Implies a more active refusal or withholding of something.

were refused

Indicates an explicit denial of access to something.

were without

Highlights the state of being without something.

were deprived of

Suggests that something essential was taken away or withheld.

lacked

Emphasizes the absence of something necessary.

were not equipped with

Specifically refers to a lack of necessary equipment.

were not afforded

Implies that an opportunity or advantage was not granted.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were not provided with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "were not furnished with" or "were denied", depending on the specific context.

What's a simpler way to say "were not provided with"?

A simpler alternative is "were not given", which conveys the same meaning in a more direct manner.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was not provided with" instead of "were not provided with"?

Yes, but only when referring to a singular subject. "Was not provided with" is for singular nouns, while "were not provided with" is for plural nouns or subjects using 'were' conjugation (e.g. you, we, they).

In what situations is it best to use "were not provided with"?

This phrase is suitable when emphasizing the lack of supply or omission of something, especially when the provision was expected or necessary. It is commonly used in formal and informational contexts, as Ludwig's examples show.