were not ratified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not ratified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing agreements, treaties, or decisions that have not received formal approval or confirmation. Example: "The proposed amendments to the constitution were not ratified by the necessary majority of states."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A number of longstanding members have complained that the new rules are biased against older, white voters and were not ratified by the membership itself.

The Guardian - Film

There was "a time to sow and a time to reap," and if the Constitution were not ratified now, "we shall never have another opportunity".

The New York Times - Books

The Articles, however, were not ratified by the last state (Maryland) until February, 1781.

Huffington Post

Adams signed the Articles of Confederation with the other Massachusetts delegates in 1778, but they were not ratified by all the states until 1781.

Wikipedia

In order to ensure that Karamanli would abide by the terms of the treaty, the Sardinians included a provision that if the treaty were not ratified within four hours of its signing, Sardinian hostilities against Tripoli would recommence.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That treaty, which was not ratified by the United States, sets emission limits for developed nations.

The New York Times

Its new president, Juan Manuel Santos, says that if the trade agreement is not ratified this year, "we will not keep insisting".

The Economist

A Franco-Lebanese treaty of independence and friendship was signed in 1936 but was not ratified by the French government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1874 a conference at Brussels prepared a declaration relative to prisoners of war, but it was not ratified.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The accord was not ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament, however, and the affair diminished Kravchuk's credibility in the country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then the county could try to impose the lag payroll even if it was not ratified by a vote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were not ratified" when you want to emphasize the formal process of approval that did not occur. This is especially relevant in legal, political, or historical contexts.

Common error

Ensure you're not using "were not ratified" when the subject in question was simply signed but never formally approved. Ratification is a specific step beyond signing that signifies formal acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not ratified" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a particular agreement, treaty, or decision did not undergo and complete the formal process of approval. Ludwig confirms this phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not ratified" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to indicate that something did not receive formal approval. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to communicate the absence of validation, typically in formal or neutral contexts. The analysis of usage patterns reveals that it's commonly found in news reports, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. While "were not ratified" is a valid and precise expression, alternatives like "were not approved" or "did not pass" may be more suitable in informal settings. Using "were not ratified" correctly involves understanding the distinction between signing and formally ratifying an agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not approved

Replaces "ratified" with a more general term for acceptance.

did not receive ratification

A more formal and explicit way of stating the absence of ratification.

were not endorsed

Emphasizes a lack of support or recommendation.

failed to be ratified

Highlights the failure or inability to achieve ratification.

were not validated

Highlights the absence of formal confirmation of accuracy or legitimacy.

were not confirmed

Indicates a lack of verification or agreement.

were not sanctioned

Focuses on the lack of official permission or authorization.

were rejected

Implies an active refusal or denial of approval.

were not enacted

Emphasizes the lack of legal implementation or enforcement.

did not pass

A simpler way to say that something was not approved, typically used for laws or proposals.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "were not ratified"?

Use "were not ratified" to describe formal agreements, treaties, or decisions that did not receive the necessary approval or confirmation to become officially valid. It's common in contexts related to law, politics, and history.

What are some alternatives to "were not ratified"?

You can use alternatives like "were not approved", "were not endorsed", or "did not receive ratification" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between something being 'signed' and 'ratified'?

Yes, signing an agreement is often a preliminary step, indicating intent to agree. Ratification is the formal process by which a governing body (like a legislature) approves the agreement, making it legally binding. Something can be signed but "were not ratified" if it doesn't receive this formal approval.

Can "were not ratified" be used in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "were not ratified" is more suited to formal or neutral contexts. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "were not approved" or "did not pass" might be more appropriate.