were performed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were performed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate who carried out an action or task in the past. Example: "The experiments were performed by the research team to validate the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Injections were performed by BestGene Inc.

Nature

Transcriptome analyses were performed by mRNA sequencing.

Nature

Experiments were performed by UCL Genomics.

Nature

All procedures were performed by a single surgeon.

Princeton University

Surveys were performed by online survey company GfK.

Stanford University

The ASCA fits were performed by T. Yaqoob.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Theoretical calculations were performed by X.X., Z.S. and D.H.Z.

Nature

Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA followed by LSD Test.

Nature

Statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA (*P < 0.05).

Nature

Testing and data collection were performed by Y. Liu.

Nature

Statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA (**P < 0.01).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were performed by", ensure the subject receiving the action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were performed by" when the active voice is more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The experiment was performed by the scientists", consider "The scientists performed the experiment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were performed by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action was carried out by a specific agent. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

Academia

22%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were performed by" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to attribute agency to an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts, with some presence in news and media. While appropriate in many situations, it's important to consider whether the active voice might be more concise and direct. Alternative phrases like "were conducted by" or "were carried out by" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When using "were performed by", ensure clarity in identifying the subject of the action. Avoiding overuse and considering active voice alternatives helps improve writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were conducted by

This alternative maintains a high level of formality and is often interchangeable with the original phrase.

were executed by

This alternative suggests a more deliberate and precise execution of the action.

were carried out by

This alternative is slightly more informal but still widely applicable.

were undertaken by

This suggests a more significant or complex endeavor was completed by someone.

were completed by

This emphasizes the completion aspect of the action.

were achieved by

This focuses on the accomplishment resulting from the action.

were implemented by

This suggests a structured or planned execution.

were realized by

This alternative emphasizes the coming into being or actuality of something.

were fulfilled by

Similar to 'completed', but can also imply a sense of obligation or requirement being met.

were enacted by

Suggests a formal or legal implementation of the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were performed by" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use alternatives such as "were conducted by" or "were executed by", depending on the context.

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

While "were performed by" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and concise. Consider rephrasing to use the active voice if appropriate.

What is a less formal alternative to "were performed by"?

A less formal alternative could be "were carried out by", which conveys a similar meaning in a more conversational tone.

How does the context affect the choice of using "were performed by" versus another phrase?

The context dictates the best choice. For example, in scientific writing, "were performed by" is common. In more general writing, active voice or alternatives like "were done by" might be suitable.