were noticed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were noticed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that was noticed by somebody or something else. For example: "The strange noises coming from the attic were noticed by the curious cat."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were noticed.

The New York Times

No significant untoward side effects were noticed.

Asian Journal of Psychiatry

No adverse effects were noticed during this 9 months study.

Veterinary Parasitology

About tolerance, no severe side effects or dyschromia were noticed.

Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique

No adverse effects were noticed in either administration group.

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

The graphite nodules were noticed in the substrate.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Effects of reagent adding order and stirring speed were noticed.

Chemical Engineering Science

The paintings went up in the hotel, and were noticed.

The New York Times

During the oscillation phase metamorphosis and whisker transport were noticed.

Polymer

However, some exceptions were noticed.

Botanical Studies

I made sure these activities were noticed.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were noticed" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the object or event being observed rather than the observer. For instance, "The improvements in the patient's condition were noticed after the new medication was administered."

Common error

Avoid using "were noticed" when active voice is more appropriate and direct. Instead of "The errors were noticed by the team", consider "The team noticed the errors" for a clearer and more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were noticed" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that something was observed or detected, placing emphasis on the object or event rather than the subject doing the observing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were noticed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates an observation or detection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most often in scientific and news contexts. When writing, remember to use it when emphasizing the object being observed rather than the observer. Alternative phrases such as "were observed" or "were detected" can offer slightly different nuances depending on your intended meaning. Being mindful of the active voice alternative will help keep your writing clear and concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were observed

Changes the verb "noticed" to "observed", implying a more formal or scientific observation.

were detected

Replaces "noticed" with "detected", suggesting something was discovered, often through specific methods.

were identified

Substitutes "noticed" for "identified", indicating a specific recognition or classification.

were recognized

Uses "recognized" instead of "noticed", suggesting acknowledgement or awareness of something.

came to attention

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, indicating something became known.

were discovered

Emphasizes the finding of something previously unknown.

were perceived

Implies that something was sensed or understood, not just seen.

were remarked upon

Indicates that something was commented on or noted, often publicly.

were heeded

Suggests that something was not only noticed but also paid attention to and acted upon.

drew attention

Shifts the focus to the subject causing the observation, rather than the observation itself.

FAQs

How can I use "were noticed" in a sentence?

Use "were noticed" to indicate that something was observed or detected. For example, "The changes in the data "were noticed" during the analysis".

What are some alternatives to "were noticed"?

You can use alternatives like "were observed", "were detected", or "were identified" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were noticed"?

Using active or passive voice depends on the emphasis you want to create. "Were noticed" is passive. If you want to emphasize who noticed something, use active voice (e.g. "The researchers noticed the trend").

What's the difference between "were noticed" and "were noted"?

"Were noticed" implies observation, while "were noted" suggests something was recorded or documented. For example, "The side effects "were noticed" by the patients", but "The doctor were noted the side effects in the patient's chart".