were recommended

USAGE SUMMARY

"were recommended" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "recommend" and is used to indicate that someone or something was suggested or advised as a good choice or course of action. Example: The students were recommended to attend the study abroad program by their professors. In this sentence, "were recommended" expresses the action of the professors suggesting or advising the students to attend the study abroad program. Other examples could include: - My doctor recommended that I start a regular exercise routine. - The restaurant was highly recommended by my friends. - The book was recommended by the librarian as a must-read. - We were recommended to try the new sushi place in town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No MRLs were recommended for milk and eggs.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

In regards to outcome recommendation, 41.15% of patients were recommended for outpatient treatment, 37.69% were recommended for inpatient admission, and 20.38% were recommended for partial hospitalization.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Books were recommended.

The Guardian - Books

Tighter safety regulations were recommended.

Independent

Some modifications were recommended.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Three, including Nichols, were recommended for dismissal.

The Washington Post

Both were recommended to me last year by a dermatologist.

The New Yorker

Of 40 experiments, 20 were recommended for rollout.

Harvard Business Review

A few were recommended by writers and personal friends.

The New York Times - Books

Then, construction temperatures at various stages were recommended.

Construction and Building Materials

Specific countermeasures or suggestions for reducing Nanchang's CE were recommended.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain a consistent tense throughout the sentence when using the phrase "were recommended".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who made the recommendation. For example, instead of "Changes were recommended", specify "The committee recommended changes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were recommended" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received a recommendation. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and commonly used expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were recommended" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone or something received a favorable suggestion or endorsement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, from formal reports to casual discussions. While it is essential to ensure clarity by specifying the source of the recommendation, especially in formal writing, the phrase's widespread usage across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and scientific publications confirms its reliability and general acceptability. Alternative phrases like ""were advised"" or "were suggested" can be used to add nuance, but "were recommended" remains a solid choice for conveying endorsement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were advised

Focuses more directly on the act of giving advice.

were suggested

Emphasizes the act of putting forward an idea or option.

were endorsed

Implies formal approval or support.

were approved

Indicates official permission or acceptance.

were prescribed

Specifically refers to medical recommendations.

were advocated

Highlights active support or promotion of a particular course of action.

were proposed

Focuses on the act of putting forward a plan or idea for consideration.

were favored

Indicates a preference or positive inclination.

were chosen

Highlights the selection of something from a range of options.

were selected

Similar to "were chosen", but often implies a more formal or deliberate process.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were recommended" indicates that something was suggested or advised. For example, "The students "were advised" to attend the workshop by their professors."

What's the difference between "were recommended" and "were suggested"?

"Were recommended" implies a degree of endorsement or approval, while "were suggested" simply means an idea was put forward. For example, more severe restrictions "were proposed" for Vioxx by several panelists.

What are some alternatives to "were recommended"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""were advised"", "were endorsed", or "were approved" to convey similar meanings.

Is it always necessary to specify who made the recommendation when using "were recommended"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the source of the recommendation enhances clarity and credibility. For instance, consider clarifying the statement, Tighter safety regulations "were proposed".