were regarded as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were regarded as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something or someone is perceived or considered by others. Example: "The ancient ruins were regarded as a significant part of the region's cultural heritage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These pregnancies were regarded as exposed.

British Medical Journal

None were regarded as insurmountable.

The Guardian

Few experiments were regarded as success stories.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The chief executives were regarded as sages.

The New York Times - Tech

"They were regarded as a sting operation.

The Washington Post

The family were regarded as loners by neighbours.

The Guardian

Values were regarded as highly significant at p < 0.001.

Nature

All three were regarded as secular (ie, non-Muslim) bloggers.

The Guardian

Both men were regarded as high-risk targets for assassination.

The Guardian

Differences were regarded as significant when p <.05.

Nature

Gonzalez and Reed were regarded as virtually automatic selections.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were regarded as" to express a widely held belief or perception about something. It's particularly useful when indicating a past consensus that might not be true anymore.

Common error

Avoid using "were regard as" (incorrect verb form) or mixing tenses inappropriately. Ensure the verb tense aligns with the time frame you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were regarded as" functions as a passive construction, indicating how a subject was perceived or considered by others. Ludwig AI examples show it used to convey a past perception or assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were regarded as" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to describe how something or someone was perceived in the past. Ludwig AI indicates its wide applicability across various domains, particularly in science and news media. When using this phrase, remember to ensure proper tense consistency and consider alternative phrasing options to achieve the desired nuance. It's a versatile phrase that efficiently conveys past perceptions and widely held beliefs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were considered as

This alternative is very close in meaning, simply replacing 'regarded' with 'considered'.

were deemed to be

This alternative uses 'deemed' to suggest a formal judgment or assessment.

were seen as

This alternative is less formal and emphasizes visual perception or general impression.

were viewed as

Similar to 'were seen as', this option highlights a particular perspective or viewpoint.

were known as

This alternative indicates a recognized or established identity or reputation.

were classified as

This alternative emphasizes categorization or systematic grouping.

were recognized as

This alternative highlights the acknowledgement or awareness of something's status or quality.

were understood as

This alternative focuses on the interpretation or comprehension of something.

were treated as

This alternative emphasizes the manner in which something or someone was handled or dealt with.

were characterized as

This alternative suggests a description highlighting key features or qualities.

FAQs

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

You can use "were regarded as" to describe how something or someone was perceived in the past. For example, "In the past, these practices "were regarded as" acceptable, but now they are considered unethical".

What are some alternatives to "were regarded as"?

Alternatives include "were considered as", "were deemed to be", or "were seen as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was regarded as" instead of "were regarded as"?

Yes, "was regarded as" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "were regarded as" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The policy was regarded as a success" versus "The policies "were regarded as" successful".

What is the difference between "were regarded as" and "are regarded as"?

"Were regarded as" refers to a past perception, while "are regarded as" indicates a present perception. Example: "These rules "were regarded as" strict in the 19th century" (past) versus "These rules are regarded as necessary today" (present).