were pelted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were pelted with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is hit repeatedly with objects, often in a forceful or aggressive manner. Example: "The protesters were pelted with eggs and tomatoes as they marched through the streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Firemen were pelted with bottles.

The New York Times

Police were pelted with golf balls.

The Guardian - Sport

We were pelted with tomatoes and eggs.

The New York Times - Magazine

They were pelted with stones, rotten eggs and mud.

The New York Times

Police vans were pelted with rocks, prosecutors said.

The New York Times

Gendarmes were pelted with glass bottles, flares and stones.

The Economist

The security forces accompanying the bulldozers were pelted with stones.

The New York Times

THE sky blackened and, to our astonishment, we were pelted with gigantic hailstones.

The New York Times - Travel

Police were pelted with glass bottles, cans, sticks and a skateboard.

The Guardian

Yet there is comfort in knowing that Klan sympathizers were pelted with Bronx cheers.

The New Yorker

At an Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas, they were pelted with oranges and death threats.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were pelted with", consider the connotation. It often implies a chaotic or hostile situation, so ensure it aligns with the intended tone and context.

Common error

Avoid using "were pelted with" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The car were pelted with stones", consider "Protesters pelted the car with stones" for a more vivid description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were pelted with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being hit repeatedly by something. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples where the subject is the recipient of the action. This is commonly used to describe situations involving conflict, protest, or natural events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were pelted with" is a grammatically sound and widely used passive construction indicating that a subject has been repeatedly hit by projectiles. As Ludwig AI affirms, this phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, serving to convey chaotic or hostile situations. While grammatically correct, writers should consider the active voice for more direct impact. Alternative phrases like "were bombarded with" or "were attacked by" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, and the appropriate choice depends on the specific context and intended connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were bombarded with

Focuses on a continuous and heavy stream of attacks or inputs.

were assaulted with

Emphasizes a more aggressive and direct attack.

were showered with

Implies abundance and often a less violent or negative connotation.

were targeted with

Highlights the intentionality of the action towards a specific target.

were attacked by

A more general term for being subjected to hostile action.

were besieged by

Suggests being surrounded and overwhelmed by something.

were subjected to

Indicates being forced to experience something, often unpleasant.

were overwhelmed by

Focuses on the feeling of being overpowered by a large quantity.

were met with a hail of

Suggests a large quantity of something coming quickly and forcefully.

encountered a barrage of

Emphasizes a rapid and overwhelming outpouring of something.

FAQs

How can I use "were pelted with" in a sentence?

Use "were pelted with" to describe a situation where someone or something is repeatedly hit by objects. For example, "The demonstrators "were pelted with" eggs and tomatoes".

What can I say instead of "were pelted with"?

You can use alternatives like "were bombarded with", "were attacked by", or "were showered with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was pelted with" instead of "were pelted with"?

Yes, but the choice depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "was pelted with" for a singular subject and "were pelted with" for a plural subject.

What is the difference between "were pelted with" and "were covered with"?

"Were pelted with" implies being hit repeatedly by projectiles, while "were covered with" simply means something is spread over a surface. The former suggests an attack, the latter, a state of being.