were scrutinized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were scrutinized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has been examined or analyzed closely, often in a critical manner. Example: "The financial records were scrutinized by the auditors to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Photo albums were scrutinized.

The New York Times

The smallest points were scrutinized.

The New York Times

Eyes were scrutinized for crow's-feet.

The New York Times

Her friends were scrutinized, her letters opened.

The New York Times - Books

The goals of both organizations (were) scrutinized, evaluated, and approved.

Cornell University

The Iraqi military's actions were scrutinized more closely, however.

The Washington Post

Both the man and his writings were scrutinized.

The New Yorker

Any joint appearances by the brothers were scrutinized.

The New York Times

Yet its practices were scrutinized by lawmakers and law enforcement.

The New York Times

"They were scrutinized by the bureau chief of homicide.

The New York Times

Reports concerning the period of his stay in England were scrutinized.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were scrutinized", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was doing the scrutinizing and what criteria were used in the evaluation.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "were scrutinized" to the point where the actor performing the scrutiny is unclear or omitted. In many cases, specifying who did the scrutinizing adds clarity and impact to your writing. For example, instead of "The data were scrutinized", consider "The researchers scrutinized the data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were scrutinized" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received a careful and critical examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it applied to various subjects like "photo albums", "military actions", and "anesthetic records", demonstrating broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were scrutinized" signifies a thorough and critical examination, often implying a judgmental context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It's frequently found in scientific, news, and academic writing, indicating a formal tone. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "were examined closely" or "were carefully inspected", depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. When writing, ensure that the actor doing the scrutinizing is clear, and avoid overuse of the passive voice to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were examined closely

Focuses more on the act of examination without necessarily implying a critical assessment.

were carefully inspected

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the inspection process.

were closely analyzed

Highlights the detailed analysis and interpretation of data or information.

were intensely reviewed

Emphasizes the intensity and depth of the review process.

were thoroughly investigated

Suggests a more formal and systematic inquiry, often with the goal of uncovering facts.

were meticulously assessed

Underscores the precision and attention to detail in the assessment.

were rigorously audited

Implies a formal review, typically of financial records or processes, to ensure compliance.

were evaluated in detail

Focuses on the evaluation aspect, indicating a judgment or appraisal based on careful study.

were probed deeply

Indicates a searching and exploratory examination, often to uncover hidden information.

were put under the microscope

This is an idiomatic alternative which means examined in great detail. The idiom may be seen as informal.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were scrutinized" indicates a close and critical examination. For example, "The financial records "were scrutinized" by the auditors" shows a detailed inspection.

What are some alternatives to "were scrutinized"?

Alternatives include "were examined closely", "were carefully inspected", or "were thoroughly investigated", each suggesting a different nuance of detailed examination.

Is it better to use "were scrutinized" or "was scrutinized"?

"Were scrutinized" is used for plural subjects, while "was scrutinized" is for singular subjects. For example, "The documents were scrutinized", but "The report was scrutinized".

What does it mean when something "were scrutinized"?

When something "were scrutinized", it means it underwent a thorough and critical examination, often to detect errors, assess validity, or understand its components in detail.