were regularly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were regularly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events that occurred consistently in the past. Example: "The reports were regularly submitted to the management for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lottery initiatives were regularly defeated.

The New Yorker

Fortune-tellers were regularly consulted.

The Economist

Pandilleros were regularly extorting him.

The New Yorker

Such plots were regularly foiled.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet they were regularly sold for scrap.

The New Yorker

Drivers were regularly extorted, and sometimes disappeared.

The New York Times

American patrols in Ghazaliya were regularly ambushed.

The New Yorker

We were regularly attacked by dogs.

The New York Times

People were regularly killed by flooding.

The Guardian

European paintings and sculptures were regularly presented.

The Guardian - Books

Within months, we were regularly finishing first.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing habits, routines, or established procedures, "were regularly" can effectively convey the idea of consistent repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "were regularly" in contexts where a more precise term would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "meetings were regularly held", consider "meetings were held weekly" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were regularly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or regularity of an action or state. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently modifies verbs in the passive voice, describing something done or experienced with a consistent pattern. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI "aiResponseStatus".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were regularly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that actions or events happened with consistent frequency in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While being broadly applicable, you should consider precise alternatives when greater clarity is needed. Ludwig AI provides useful examples for ensuring accuracy and appropriateness in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were routinely

Indicates a standard procedure or established practice, focusing on the systematic aspect.

were consistently

Highlights the unwavering nature of the action or event over time.

were frequently

Emphasizes the high number of occurrences without necessarily implying a pattern.

were often

A simpler way to say something happened many times.

were repeatedly

Focuses on the recurrence of the action or event.

were periodically

Suggests the actions or events occurred at specific intervals.

were constantly

Highlights the continuous nature of the action or event.

were habitually

Implies a customary or ingrained behavior.

were customarily

Indicates actions that align with established norms or traditions.

were predictably

Stresses the anticipated nature of the actions or events.

FAQs

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

You can use "were regularly" to describe actions or events that occurred with constant frequency or pattern. For example, "The reports "were regularly submitted" for review."

What are some alternatives to "were regularly"?

Alternatives include "were routinely", "were frequently", or "were often", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "was regularly" is used with singular subjects, while "were regularly" is used with plural subjects. For instance, "the meeting was regularly scheduled" (singular) versus "the meetings "were regularly scheduled"" (plural).

What's the difference between "were regularly" and "used to be"?

"Were regularly" implies a repeated action or event that occurred consistently, while "used to be" describes a state or action that was common in the past but no longer is. For example, "the park "were regularly visited"" suggests consistent visits, whereas "the park used to be visited" indicates past visits that no longer occur.