were ratified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were ratified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing agreements, treaties, or amendments that have received formal approval or confirmation. Example: "The amendments to the constitution were ratified by the necessary majority of the states."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ten were ratified.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reforms were ratified five days later.

The New York Times

But 27 of those were ratified.

The New York Times

Both contracts were ratified by their members Tuesday.

The New York Times

All the appointments were ratified last night by CUNY's board of trustees.

The New York Times

But on Thursday, the amendments were ratified by legislators in Michoacán.

The New York Times

Senate Democrats did add some investor protections that were ratified Tuesday by the House.

The New York Times

The Spring Hill plant, which was mostly idled in 2009, would reopen if the contract were ratified.

The New York Times

The relationship between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEAA) is rather a positive one (and could be better if the additional protocol were ratified).

The Guardian - Opinion

"No monies were siphoned from E.H.S. and in fact all relevant decisions were ratified by E.H.S.'s board of directors," Mr. Wolf said in a statement.

The New York Times

All stages and series of the Devonian were ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) using GSSPs during the period 1972 to 1995.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were ratified", ensure the subject clearly identifies what received formal approval (e.g. treaty, amendment, contract).

Common error

Avoid using "were ratified" with a singular subject. The phrase is plural, so the subject must also be plural (e.g. "The agreements were ratified", not "The agreement were ratified").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were ratified" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject (e.g., treaty, law, agreement) has undergone the process of formal validation or approval. Ludwig shows many examples of its use in legal and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were ratified" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the formal approval or validation of agreements, treaties, or legal documents. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and other formal contexts. When using "were ratified", remember to ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity regarding what exactly received approval. Alternatives like "were approved" or "were confirmed" can be used depending on the nuances you wish to convey. Paying attention to these details will enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were approved

Simple substitution of 'ratified' with a more common synonym.

were validated

Focuses on the confirmation of the legitimacy of something.

were confirmed

Highlights the act of verifying something previously uncertain.

were endorsed

Emphasizes support and approval.

were sanctioned

Implies official permission or authorization.

were enacted

Indicates that a law or rule has been put into effect.

were legislated

Focuses on the legislative process of making something official.

were formalized

Emphasizes the act of making something official or structured.

were authenticated

Focuses on proving something to be genuine.

were given assent

A more formal way of saying something was agreed upon.

FAQs

How is "were ratified" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "were ratified" is used to indicate that something, such as a treaty or agreement, has been formally approved or confirmed. For example, "The amendments to the constitution "were ratified" by the necessary majority of the states."

What are some alternatives to using "were ratified"?

You can use alternatives like "were approved", "were confirmed", or "were endorsed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was ratified" instead of "were ratified"?

No, "was ratified" is used with a singular subject, while ""were ratified"" is used with a plural subject. For example, "The treaty was ratified" (singular) vs. "The treaties "were ratified"" (plural).

What is the difference between "ratified" and "signed"?

"Signed" indicates that parties have agreed to something, while ""were ratified"" means that the agreement has received formal approval, often by a legislative body or governing authority. Signing is often a preliminary step to ratification.