were put through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were put through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process where someone or something has undergone a particular experience or treatment, often implying a challenge or difficulty. Example: "The candidates were put through a rigorous selection process to ensure only the best were chosen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The things that were put through, that was President Clinton," Mrs. Wilson said.

The New York Times

Shop windows and car windscreens were put through and demonstrators put up barricades all over the city.

Vice

"These young women were put through a terrible ordeal.

Independent

Three fresh frozen cadaver feet were put through several experiments with the Brace.

Measurement

He is an intuitive performer, and resented the drills they were put through.

The Guardian - Film

With the entire team and coaching staff looking on, they were put through their paces.

The Guardian - Sport

In the research, 32 men and women were put through a number of tests and examinations.

Independent

Someone wrote "schizo" on my window and dog faeces were put through my letterbox.

Independent

The top 200 scorers then were put through an English language examination to produce the freshman class.

The New York Times

The amplified sequences were put through another round of selection and amplification, and the process was repeated for 10 cycles.

MIT Technology Review

And the materials, when proposed for airliners, were "put through massive numbers of cycles of full-scale testing," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were put through" to describe a situation where individuals or objects experienced a specific process, test, or ordeal. This phrase is suitable when emphasizing the experience itself rather than the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "were put through" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The data were put through analysis by the team", consider "The team analyzed the data" for improved clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were put through" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent a particular process or experience. Ludwig AI provides examples showing this phrase used in various contexts to describe challenges or treatments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were put through" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe the experience of undergoing a process or ordeal. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the passive voice is appropriate for the context, and consider alternative active voice constructions for greater clarity. The phrase is best suited for emphasizing the experience itself, rather than the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were subjected to

Implies a more forceful or involuntary experience.

were subjected to

Implies a more formal or rigorous process than the original phrase.

were exposed to

Suggests a passive experience, without necessarily implying difficulty.

were made to undergo

Highlights the obligation or necessity of the experience.

were made to endure

Emphasizes the hardship or suffering involved.

were processed through

Focuses on a systematic and often automated procedure.

were tested with

Highlights the use of tests.

were examined via

Indicates a formal or scientific investigation.

were assessed through

Emphasizes evaluation and judgment.

were run through

Suggests a quick and efficient process.

FAQs

How can I use "were put through" in a sentence?

The phrase "were put through" is used to describe a process or experience that someone or something has undergone. For example, "The candidates "were put through" a rigorous selection process" or "The materials "were put through" extensive testing".

What are some alternatives to "were put through"?

Alternatives include phrases like "were subjected to", "were exposed to", or "were made to undergo", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "were put through"?

While "were put through" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, consider whether the active voice might be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The application "was put through" several checks", you could say "The system checked the application".

What does "were put through their paces" mean?

The idiom "were put through their paces" means that someone was tested or shown how well they could perform a task. It's often used in the context of sports, training, or demonstrations.