were repeated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were repeated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happened multiple times in the past. Example: "The instructions were repeated several times to ensure everyone understood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There were repeated bankruptcies.

The New York Times - Magazine

The usual platitudes were repeated.

The New Yorker

The stories were repeated everywhere.

The New York Times - Sports

Such scenes were repeated elsewhere in Ingushetia.

The New York Times

Such scenes were repeated across the peninsula.

The Guardian - Business

Most experiments were repeated.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Tests were repeated 3 times.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

All experiments were repeated thrice.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Analyses were repeated three times.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

These procedures were repeated daily.

Progress in Orthodontics

Two tours were repeated daily.

City, Territory and Architecture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the passive voice construction "were repeated", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is being repeated and the context provides sufficient information about the reasons or frequency of the repetition. For example: "The tests "were repeated" to ensure accuracy".

Common error

Avoid using "were repeated" without a clear subject. For instance, instead of saying "Mistakes "were repeated"", specify "The same mistakes "were repeated" due to lack of training".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were repeated" functions as the main verb in a passive construction. This indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being repeated. Ludwig examples show various subjects like experiments, tests and procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were repeated" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that something occurred more than once. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its prevalence in scientific and news contexts, highlighting its utility in describing recurring experiments, procedures, or statements. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clear and that the context provides sufficient detail about the repetition. Alternatives such as "reoccurred" or "were replicated" can be used for variety, depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reoccurred

A more concise, single-word synonym emphasizing the recurrence.

were replicated

Suggests an exact duplication, often in a scientific or experimental setting.

were done again

Highlights the action being performed another time.

were duplicated

Stresses the identical copying or mirroring of something.

took place repeatedly

Emphasizes multiple occurrences of the event.

occurred again

Focuses on the event happening anew, with less emphasis on intention.

were reiterated

Focuses on the restatement or reaffirmation of something.

happened once more

Implies a straightforward repetition of an event.

were restated

Similar to reiterated, emphasizing that something was said again, often for clarity.

were echoed

Implies a repetition in a similar but perhaps modified form, like a reverberation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were repeated" is used to indicate that something occurred more than once. For example, "The instructions "were repeated" to ensure everyone understood them."

What are some alternatives to saying "were repeated"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reoccurred", "were replicated", or "happened again", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were repeated"?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context. "Were repeated" is passive, so it's useful when the action is more important than the actor. If the actor is important, use active voice (e.g., "They repeated the experiment").

What's the difference between "were repeated" and "were reiterated"?

"Were repeated" generally means something happened again. "Were reiterated" implies something was said again, usually to emphasize or clarify it. So, "The instructions "were reiterated"" means they were restated for clarity.