were selected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were selected" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something or someone was chosen or picked out for a specific purpose. You can use it anytime you want to say that a group of things or people were carefully chosen or designated for a particular role or action. Example: The top 10 finalists were selected from hundreds of applicants to compete in the final round of the singing competition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only 65 were selected.

The New York Times

No American bidders were selected.

The New York Times

Then, 606 genes were selected.

Nature

Twenty new ones were selected this summer.

The New York Times

Six were selected for All Our Kin.

The New York Times

Two entries were selected as finalists.

The New Yorker

Several dozen questions were selected for use.

The New York Times

"All players who were selected did come.

The Guardian - Sport

From these, 25 were selected at random.

The Guardian

Three semifinalists were selected in each region.

The New York Times

From those, four finalists were selected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were selected", ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria or process by which the selection was made. Providing this context enhances clarity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice in conjunction with "were selected". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make writing sound vague. Consider rephrasing to use the active voice when appropriate for more direct and engaging prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were selected" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent a selection process performed by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were selected" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive voice construction that indicates a choice or designation has been made. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using "were selected", ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria for selection and avoid overuse of the passive voice for clearer and more engaging writing. Consider alternatives like "were chosen" or "were appointed" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were chosen

Replaces "selected" with its direct synonym "chosen", maintaining the same passive voice and meaning.

were picked

Substitutes "selected" with "picked", offering a slightly more informal alternative with the same core meaning.

were appointed

Replaces "selected" with "appointed", implying a more formal or official selection process.

were designated

Substitutes "selected" with "designated", suggesting a selection for a specific purpose or role.

were named

Replaces "selected" with "named", implying a formal announcement of the selection.

were elected

Suggests that the selection occurred through a voting or election process.

were handpicked

Adds emphasis to the selection process, highlighting a careful and deliberate choice.

were identified

Focuses on the recognition aspect of the selection, implying that they stood out from others.

were screened

Suggests a selection process that involved a review or assessment of candidates.

were favored

Emphasizes that they received preferential treatment during the selection process.

FAQs

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

You can use "were selected" to indicate that a group of items or people have been chosen for a specific purpose. For example, "The finalists "were selected" based on their qualifications".

What are some alternatives to "were selected"?

Alternatives include "were chosen", "were picked", or "were appointed", depending on the specific context.

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

While "were selected" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The winners "were selected" by the judges", you could say "The judges selected the winners".

What is the difference between "were selected" and "had been selected"?

"Were selected" indicates a selection that occurred in the past, while "had been selected" indicates a selection that occurred before another point in the past. For example, "They "were selected" for the team last week" versus "They had been selected for the team before the tournament started".