were passed

USAGE SUMMARY

"were passed" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing actions that have already taken place. For example: "The bills were passed by the Senate last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Emigration controls were passed.

The Economist

Cameras were passed.

The New York Times

Instead, four were passed.

The New York Times

You were passed over?

The New York Times - Magazine

Beers were passed around.

The New Yorker

All resolutions were passed.

The Guardian - Business

No laws were passed.

The New York Times

Hookahs were passed around.

The New Yorker

Eventually, environmental laws were passed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How many sentences were passed?

Yale University

Italian chocolates were passed out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were passed", ensure the subject receiving the action is clearly defined. For example, "The new regulations were passed by the committee" clarifies who performed the action.

Common error

Avoid using "were passed" with a singular subject. It's grammatically incorrect to say "The law were passed"; instead, use "The law was passed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were passed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action was performed on a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard grammatical construction. The subject receives the action of being passed, typically referring to laws, resolutions, or items being moved or approved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were passed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase, predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase indicates that a subject has undergone a process and achieved a specific state, such as approval or transfer. Common errors involve subject-verb agreement, so it's crucial to use "was passed" for singular subjects and "were passed" for plural subjects. Alternatives include "were approved" and "were enacted", depending on the specific context. Ultimately, using "were passed" correctly ensures clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were approved

Emphasizes the act of formal approval or authorization.

were enacted

Highlights the legal or official implementation of something.

were adopted

Focuses on the acceptance and integration of something new.

were ratified

Stresses the formal confirmation or validation of an agreement.

were legislated

Specifically refers to the creation of laws or statutes.

were transmitted

Highlights the action of something being conveyed or transferred.

were handed down

Focuses on the passing of traditions or knowledge from one generation to another.

were transferred

Emphasizes the movement of something from one place or person to another.

were circulated

Highlights the distribution of something among a group.

were conveyed

Focuses on the communication or transmission of information or items.

FAQs

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

"Were passed" indicates that something has been approved or moved from one state to another. For example, "The bills were passed by the Senate" or "The traditions were passed down through generations".

What are some alternatives to using "were passed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were approved", "were enacted", or "were adopted".

Is it correct to say "was passed" instead of "were passed"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was passed" with singular nouns (e.g., "The bill was passed") and "were passed" with plural nouns (e.g., "The bills were passed").

What is the difference between "were passed" and "were transmitted"?

"Were passed" often implies approval or legislative action, while "were transmitted" suggests the transfer of something, like data or a disease. The context dictates the appropriate phrase.