were prescribed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were prescribed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to medications or treatments that have been recommended by a healthcare professional in the past. Example: "The doctor informed me that several medications were prescribed to manage my condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several medications were prescribed.

The New York Times

Such regulations were prescribed.

Cornell University

But no medicines were prescribed.

The New Yorker

This time hormones were prescribed.

The Guardian

Otherwise, vasodilators were prescribed.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

In each case, the medications were prescribed.

The New York Times - Sports

These rates were prescribed by successive circulars.

Cornell University

Most antibiotics were prescribed irrationally.

Journal of Infection and Public Health

Choral hydrate and barbiturates were prescribed much more rarely.

The New York Times - Health

Dietary supplements were prescribed when necessary.

Journal of Renal Nutrition

Temperate feeding and drinking were prescribed; debauchery was contraindicated.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were prescribed", ensure the subject clearly identifies who received the prescription, and the context specifies what was prescribed (e.g., medication, treatment, therapy).

Common error

Avoid using "was prescribed" when referring to multiple items or a plural subject. "Was prescribed" is singular; use "were prescribed" for plural subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were prescribed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received a prescription. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with standard English grammar. Many examples show this is most common for medication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were prescribed" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that a subject received a prescription, usually for medication or treatment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage aligns with standard English grammar. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject-verb agreement is correct (plural subject), and consider alternatives like "were recommended" or "were ordered" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been prescribed

Emphasizes the past action of prescribing.

were ordered

Focuses on the instruction or order given.

were recommended

Highlights the advice or suggestion aspect.

were administered

Focuses on the act of giving or applying a treatment.

were given

A more general term for providing medication or treatment.

were indicated

Highlights the necessity or appropriateness of the treatment.

were directed

Similar to 'ordered' but can also imply a process or method.

were designated

Focuses on the specific naming or assignment of a treatment.

were stipulated

Highlights the formal agreement or condition of the treatment.

were assigned

Emphasizes the act of allocating a specific treatment.

FAQs

How to use "were prescribed" in a sentence?

Use "were prescribed" to indicate that a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional recommended a specific medication, treatment, or therapy. For example, "The patients "were prescribed" antibiotics for the infection".

What can I say instead of "were prescribed"?

You can use alternatives like "were recommended", "were ordered", or "were administered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was prescribed" or "were prescribed"?

"Was prescribed" is singular and should be used when the subject is singular. "Were prescribed" is plural and should be used when the subject is plural. For example, "The medicine "was prescribed" for the patient" vs. "The medicines "were prescribed" for the patients".

What's the difference between "were prescribed" and "had been prescribed"?

"Were prescribed" indicates a past action of prescribing. "Had been prescribed" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "They "were prescribed" medication last week" vs. "They had been prescribed medication before their symptoms worsened".