were regarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were regarded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something was perceived or considered in the past. Example: "In ancient times, these artifacts were regarded as sacred objects by the local tribes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None were regarded as insurmountable.

The Guardian

Even simple handshakes were regarded with suspicion.

The New York Times - Arts

Other nationalisation operations were regarded more cynically.

The Guardian

"Thin people were regarded with suspicion, as ugly.

The New York Times - Science

(These tweets were regarded as not helpful to his case).

The New Yorker

None of his explanations were regarded as adequate.

The New Yorker

Instead, Russia and the Russians were regarded as oppressors.

The New York Times - Books

"Her columns were regarded, even outside the left, as important.

The New York Times

Certainly, not all of those pregnancies were regarded as calamities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Circuses, particularly, were regarded as a vulgar form of entertainment.

The New York Times - Arts

We Hungarians were regarded, to our surprise, as somewhat heroic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were regarded" when you want to emphasize how something was perceived or considered in the past, especially in formal or historical contexts. For example, "In ancient times, philosophers were regarded as wise individuals."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "were regarded", as it can sometimes make your writing sound vague or impersonal. Instead, consider rephrasing the sentence to use an active voice when appropriate. For example, instead of "The experiment's results were regarded as inconclusive by the scientists", try "The scientists regarded the experiment's results as inconclusive."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were regarded" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating how something was perceived, viewed, or considered in the past. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were regarded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction employed to describe past perceptions or assessments. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Its usage spans diverse fields, notably science and news media, with a formal leaning in register. For expressing similar ideas, alternatives like "were considered" or "were viewed as" are available. When using "were regarded", ensure that you are providing context about a specific time in the past, and avoid overuse of the passive voice for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were considered

Emphasizes a thought-out opinion or assessment, rather than just a casual viewing.

were deemed

Highlights a formal judgment or decision about something.

were viewed as

Focuses on the perspective or manner in which something was seen.

were looked upon as

Suggests a specific attitude or favor towards something.

were thought of as

Highlights the general opinion or perception that people had.

were esteemed

Emphasizes a high level of respect or admiration.

were judged to be

Focuses on a formal evaluation or assessment process.

were characterized as

Highlights the defining traits or attributes assigned.

were accounted as

Indicates that something was officially recognised or classified.

were reputed to be

Suggests a widespread belief or rumor, possibly without direct evidence.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were regarded" is used to describe how something or someone was perceived or considered in the past. For example, "In the past, these practices "were regarded" as acceptable, but now they are not."

What can I say instead of "were regarded"?

You can use alternatives like "were considered", "were deemed", or "were viewed as", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "were regarded as" or "were considered as"?

Both "were regarded as" and "were considered as" are grammatically correct, but "were regarded as" often implies a more formal or widespread assessment. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "were regarded" and "are regarded"?

"Were regarded" refers to a past perception or assessment, while "are regarded" refers to a current one. For example, "In the past, smoking "were regarded" as fashionable, but now smoking "are regarded" as harmful."