were pursued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were pursued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing actions taken against someone or something in the past, typically in a narrative or descriptive manner. Example: "The criminals were pursued by the police through the dark alleys of the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Desultory talks were pursued for years.

The Economist

Several lines of research were pursued simultaneously.

Britannica

Early efforts to retain a lawyer were pursued and dropped.

The New York Times

They were pursued and investigated by the police.

The Guardian - Books

Both were pursued by press photographers on their release.

The Guardian

Four daily sessions were pursued, each lasting 20 min.

Behavioural Brain Research

Combustion efficiency and emission reduction were pursued through catalyst optimization.

Combustion and Flame

Four strategies were pursued to boost the device performance.

Joule

In this work, both experimental and numerical studies were pursued.

Procedia Engineering

Thereafter, assays that were more rapid and specific were pursued.

Toxicology in Vitro

Initially, similar policies were pursued north of the Zambezi.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were pursued", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the pursuing and who or what is being pursued. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "were pursued" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound vague or indirect. For example, instead of "Mistakes were pursued by the team", consider "The team investigated mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were pursued" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being chased or followed. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

47%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were pursued" is a common passive verb phrase indicating that someone or something was chased, followed, or actively sought after. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While it can be effectively used to describe past actions, it's important to consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct and engaging. Alternatives like "were chased after" or "were followed" can provide subtle shifts in meaning, depending on the specific nuance desired. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "were pursued" to convey their intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were in pursuit of

Indicates that someone or something was being actively chased or sought after with determination.

were chased after

Emphasizes the act of actively following someone or something with the intent to catch or overtake them.

were followed

Focuses on the action of going or coming after in the same direction, either closely or at a distance.

were hunted down

Suggests a more intense and determined effort to find and capture or eliminate someone or something.

were sought after

Focuses on the desirability and effort required to obtain something valuable or beneficial.

were strived for

Highlights the effort and ambition put into achieving a goal or objective.

were aimed at

Emphasizes that something was directed or targeted towards a specific purpose or outcome.

were driven towards

Highlights external forces or motivations that compel movement or progress in a certain direction.

were in search of

Emphasizes the active quest and exploration involved in finding someone or something.

were subjected to

Indicates that someone or something experienced a particular action, often negative or forceful.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were pursued" indicates a passive action where someone or something was chased or followed. For example, "The escaping suspects were pursued by the police", or "Several research avenues "were pursued" simultaneously to find a cure".

What are some alternatives to saying "were pursued"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were chased after", "were followed", or "were sought after". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "were pursued"?

When something is described as "were pursued", it means that active efforts were made to follow, chase, or achieve it. This often implies a determined or persistent effort to reach a goal or apprehend someone.

Is it better to use "were pursued" or an active voice equivalent?

While "were pursued" is grammatically correct, using an active voice construction can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The fleeing car was pursued by officers", you could write "Officers pursued the fleeing car".