were obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

"were obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been acquired or obtained, usually through effort. For example: "Data from the survey were obtained."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Phone records were obtained".

The New York Times

No permits were obtained.

The New York Times

Credit reports were obtained".

Independent

No figures were obtained for UK estimates.

The Guardian - Tech

The figures were obtained from hospital statistics.

Independent

were obtained.

Petroleum Exploration and Development

The photos were obtained by WinRumors.

TechCrunch

All necessary approvals were obtained.

Huffington Post

No film rights were obtained.

Wikipedia

(Some information were obtained by informillo.com).

Huffington Post

Melting curves were obtained.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were obtained", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what obtained the object. For example, instead of "Results were obtained", specify "Researchers obtained results".

Common error

Avoid using "were obtained" in overly passive constructions. Active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "Data were obtained by the team", try "The team obtained data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were obtained" functions as the passive voice of the verb "obtain". It is used to indicate that something was acquired or received. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were obtained" is a grammatically correct and very common construction used to indicate that something has been acquired or received. As Ludwig AI explains, it's perfectly acceptable for use in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, reflecting a need to objectively report how data, permissions, or results were acquired. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what was obtained and, if necessary, by whom. While the passive voice is acceptable, consider using the active voice for a more direct and engaging style. Remember, related alternatives like "were acquired" or "were received" can provide subtle nuances depending on the specific context. With careful attention to these guidelines, you can confidently and effectively use the phrase "were obtained" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were acquired

Focuses on the process of gaining something, often through effort or investment.

were received

Emphasizes the act of getting something, often passively.

were procured

Highlights the effort taken to get something, often with a formal or official process.

were secured

Suggests that something was obtained with certainty and protection.

were attained

Implies a high level of achievement in obtaining something.

were derived

Indicates that something was obtained from a source or origin.

were collected

Focuses on gathering multiple items or pieces of information.

were gathered

Similar to "were collected", but can also imply a more informal or less structured process.

were accessed

Emphasizes the ability to use or see something that was previously unavailable.

came into possession

Highlights the change of ownership or control.

FAQs

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

Use "were obtained" to indicate that something was acquired or received, usually through some effort. For example, "The samples "were obtained" from the study participants".

What are some alternatives to "were obtained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were acquired", "were received", or "were procured". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

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

While "were obtained" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "Researchers obtained") can often make your writing clearer and more concise. However, the passive voice is appropriate when the receiver of the action is more important than the actor.

What's the difference between "were obtained" and "were collected"?

"Were collected" typically refers to gathering multiple items or pieces of information, while "were obtained" is a more general term for acquiring something. For instance, "Data "were collected" from various sources", but "Permissions "were obtained" before the study began".