were pointed out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were pointed out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been identified or made obvious. For example, "The risks associated with the project were pointed out at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Devotees of special merit were pointed out and applauded.

The Economist

The errors were pointed out in recent letters from readers.

The New York Times - Arts

Various buyers were pointed out to the reporter.

The New Yorker

When the mistakes were pointed out (on two separate visits), the staff was unconcerned.

The New York Times

Both were pointed out by Wiradjuri friends she had consulted in her research.

The Guardian

They rejected it after its inaccuracies and his unreliability were pointed out".

The Guardian

In fact, some of these difficulties were pointed out long before the rise of utilitarianism.

The Guardian - Opinion

When this and several other discrepancies were pointed out to Mr. Stone in the interview, his attitudes varied.

The New York Times

"The day the new policy was announced," Mr. Spies said, "two issues were pointed out to the manager".

The New York Times

When the mistakes were pointed out, we quickly received the correct mashed potatoes and a side dish of sautéed onions.

The New York Times

Fenlon was asked how long he had been at Hibernian before their Scottish Cup toils were pointed out to him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were pointed out" in passive constructions to emphasize the object being identified rather than the person doing the pointing. For instance, "The errors in the report were pointed out during the review."

Common error

Avoid using "were pointed out" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "It was pointed out that the budget was insufficient", use "The team pointed out that the budget was insufficient."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were pointed out" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was identified or brought to someone's attention. Ludwig shows this use is prevalent across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were pointed out" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various domains, including science and news media. Its primary function is to emphasize identified elements or issues. While effective in many contexts, remember to consider active voice alternatives for directness. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were highlighted

Focuses on emphasizing specific details, shifting from simple identification.

were identified

Emphasizes the act of recognizing or discovering something.

were brought to attention

Stresses the act of making something known or noticeable.

were emphasized

Highlights the importance or significance of something.

were indicated

Implies a more subtle form of showing or suggesting something.

were underscored

Emphasizes something by drawing special attention to it.

were flagged

Suggests a warning or a need for further attention.

were mentioned

Refers to a brief or casual reference to something.

were cited

Implies referencing or quoting something as an example or support.

were specified

Indicates a clear and detailed description of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were pointed out" to sound more active?

You can use phrases like "someone mentioned", "it was noted", or "they highlighted" to create a more direct and active sentence.

Is it better to use "were pointed out" or "was pointed out"?

"Were pointed out" is used when referring to plural subjects, while "was pointed out" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The errors were pointed out" versus "The mistake was pointed out".

What does "were pointed out" mean in academic writing?

In academic writing, "were pointed out" typically indicates that certain issues, limitations, or findings have been identified and brought to attention through research or analysis.

Are there situations where "were pointed out" is too passive?

Yes, in cases where it's important to emphasize who made the observation, using an active construction like "The researchers pointed out..." or "The reviewers noted..." is often more effective.