were not used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not utilized or employed in a particular context or situation. Example: "The resources allocated for the project were not used effectively, leading to delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Virginia's drugs were not used.

The Guardian

Our guys were not used to that.

The New York Times - Sports

He said firearms were not used.

The New York Times

Some of the tickets sold were not used.

The New York Times - Sports

When permission was denied, pyrotechnics were not used".

The New York Times

In eight cases, such weapons were not used.

The Guardian

"They were not used to engaging in a gutter fight".

The New Yorker

Vasopressors were not used.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Vein grafts were not used.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Muscle relaxants were not used.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Triptans and ergots were not used.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not used", ensure clarity about what was available for use but deliberately or incidentally left unused. Providing context enhances understanding and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not used" without specifying what was not used and, if relevant, what alternative was employed. Omission can lead to confusion or a sense of incompleteness for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not used" functions primarily as a part of a passive construction. It indicates that a subject did not undergo a specific action (being used). This is supported by Ludwig, which shows the phrase frequently appearing in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

39%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not used" is a grammatically correct and commonly employed passive construction indicating that something was not utilized. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use in diverse contexts. Its primary function is descriptive, conveying that a potential action or resource remained unapplied. While appropriate for various registers, it's essential to specify what was not used for clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unutilized

A more formal synonym indicating a failure to make use of something.

remained unused

Emphasizes a state of being untouched or not put into service.

were not implemented

Highlights the absence of putting a plan, system, or tool into effect.

were not required

Highlights that there was no need or necessity for something to be used.

went unapplied

Suggests that something that could have been applied or implemented was not.

were left untouched

Implies a deliberate or incidental avoidance of use or manipulation.

were bypassed

Emphasizes that the subject has been avoided or not used in favour of other options.

saw no application

Indicates that no instance arose where something was put to use.

were avoided

Highlights a deliberate intent not to make use of something.

were superseded

Suggests that something was replaced by something else before it could be used.

FAQs

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

Use "were not used" to indicate that something was available but not utilized. For example, "The backup generators "were not used" during the power outage".

What are some alternatives to saying "were not used"?

Alternatives include "remained unused", "were unutilized", or "were not implemented" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "were not used" or "weren't used"?

"Were not used" and "weren't used" are both grammatically correct. "Weren't used" is a contraction and is more informal, while "were not used" is more formal and often preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "were not used" and "were unused"?

"Were not used" implies an action that could have been taken but wasn't, whereas "were unused" describes a state of being. For example, "The tools "were not used" because of the rain", versus "The tools "were unused" for years".