were not signed

USAGE SUMMARY

"were not signed" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that did not happen. Example: The documents were not signed, so the agreement was not legally binding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

But unlike the Ravarino drawings, those were not signed.

Independent

The second contention was that the confessions were inadmissible because they were not signed.

Cornell University

In pre-Renaissance times the artist was rarely named at all, and artworks were not signed.

The Economist

They were not signed and there was no clue as to why they had been chucked into the skip.

The Guardian - Books

Deloitte's letters to the board dismissing its concerns were not signed by anyone other than the firm as a whole.

The New York Times

Several of the players said they would return to school if they were not signed to a professional contract.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The order was not signed.

The New York Times

It is not signed by the Conservative party".

The Guardian

"It's not signed yet," Falk said.

The New York Times - Sports

This memorandum was not signed by the librarian of congress.

Cornell University

The document was not signed by any district employees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not signed", ensure the context clearly indicates what was supposed to be signed and the implications of its absence.

Common error

Avoid using "were not signed" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The contract were not signed", consider "They did not sign the contract" if you want to emphasize the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not signed" functions as a passive construction indicating the absence of a signature on a particular document or item. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. This passive voice construction shifts the focus to the object rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not signed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates that something lacked the necessary signatures for validation or authorization. Its prevalence across news media, academic papers, and general-purpose sites like Wikipedia underscores its widespread understanding and applicability. While it's generally appropriate for neutral contexts, remember to consider whether an active voice construction might be more impactful in certain situations. When writing, always verify the context clearly shows what lacked signatures and the result of that absence. Related terms like "were unsigned" or "were not ratified" offer nuanced alternatives for different scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unsigned

Focuses on the absence of a signature, emphasizing the physical lack of endorsement.

had not been signed

Uses past perfect to emphasize the action of not signing occurred before a specific time.

were not ratified

Implies a formal approval process was not completed.

were unapproved

Highlights the lack of official permission or sanction.

did not sign

Shifts the focus to the agent that failed to sign, rather than the object.

were not endorsed

Suggests a lack of support or approval from a specific authority.

lacked signatures

Emphasizes the missing element needed for validation.

remained unsigned

Indicates a continuing state of being without a signature.

were invalidated

Highlights that something previously signed was cancelled.

were not authorized

Focuses on the absence of official permission.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were not signed"?

You can use alternatives like "were unsigned", "had not been signed", or "were not ratified" depending on the context.

What does it mean when documents "were not signed"?

It indicates that the documents lacked the necessary signatures for validation, approval, or legal effect. This could mean the documents are incomplete, invalid, or unenforceable.

In what situations is it important to know if something "were not signed"?

It's crucial in legal agreements, contracts, official documents, and any scenario where a signature is required for formal authorization or validation. For instance, ballots that "were not signed" are discarded in many elections.

What is the implication if a check "is not signed"?

If a check "is not signed", it is considered invalid and cannot be cashed or deposited. The signature serves as authorization for the bank to release the funds.