were not spared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not spared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was not exempt from suffering or being affected by a negative situation. Example: "In the aftermath of the storm, even the most fortified buildings were not spared from damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Children were not spared.

The Economist

Pedestrians were not spared.

The New York Times

Family members were not spared.

The New York Times - Magazine

Financial companies were not spared.

The New York Times

City officials were not spared.

The New York Times

Politicians were not spared either.

The Guardian

More domestically focused banks were not spared.

The New York Times

The MetroCard machines were not spared, either.

The New York Times

Those running for mayor were not spared.

The New York Times

Military posts were not spared the devastation.

The New York Times

But Obama's fellow Democrats were not spared.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were not spared" to emphasize the widespread impact of an event or situation, showing that even those expected to be safe were affected.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "were not spared" in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic. Opt for simpler language when the situation isn't particularly dire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not spared" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something or someone experienced the full impact of a negative event or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is common and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not spared" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey that something or someone experienced the full impact of a negative situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and formal business writing. When using this phrase, consider its impact and appropriateness for the intended audience, opting for simpler language in informal settings. Related phrases, such as "were not immune" or "did not escape", can provide nuanced alternatives. Remember to use "was not spared" for singular subjects and "were not spared" for plural subjects. Use the phrase to emphasize how even expected safe situations were greatly affected by a specific event. The phrase "were not spared" will highlight your communication with a clear and impactful meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not immune

Emphasizes a lack of protection or resistance to something.

were not exempt

Highlights the absence of a special exception or privilege.

were not untouched

Focuses on the fact that something experienced an effect.

were not excluded

Highlights that something or someone was included in an adverse outcome.

were not unaffected

Stresses that something experienced consequences.

did not escape

Indicates an inability to avoid a negative situation.

were not saved from

Emphasizes the failure to be rescued or protected.

could not avoid

Focuses on the inevitability of experiencing something negative.

were subjected to

Highlights the imposition of something unpleasant or difficult.

fell victim to

Emphasizes that someone or something became a casualty.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were not spared" indicates that something or someone did not escape the negative effects of a situation. For example, "Even the oldest buildings "were not spared" during the earthquake".

What are some alternatives to "were not spared"?

Alternatives include phrases like "were not immune", "were not exempt", or "did not escape", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was not spared" instead of "were not spared"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was not spared" for singular subjects (e.g., "The house was not spared") and "were not spared" for plural subjects (e.g., "The houses "were not spared"").

What's the difference between "were not spared" and "were unaffected"?

"Were not spared" means something experienced negative effects, while "were unaffected" means they experienced no negative effects at all. They are near opposites; "were not spared" suggests experiencing the full force of something, while "were unaffected" suggests remaining untouched.