were shown

USAGE SUMMARY

"were shown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in the past tense form of the verb "to show", which indicates that something was demonstrated. For example: The students were shown a diagram of the solar system to help them learn the names of the planets.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Replays were shown.

The New York Times - Sports

Substitutes were shown instead.

The New York Times

More replays were shown.

The Guardian - Sport

68 breeds were shown.

The New Yorker

Highlight films were shown.

The New York Times

And some clothes were shown.

The New York Times

All recorded crimes were shown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Skirts were shown with trim shells.

The New York Times

Crocodiles were shown big as green Chevies.

The New Yorker

They were shown with slim black trousers.

The New York Times

Lists the women whose clothes were shown.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were shown", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was doing the showing and who or what was being shown. For example, "The students were shown the correct solution by the teacher."

Common error

Avoid using "were shown" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "Mistakes were shown in the report", consider "The report showed mistakes" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were shown" functions as the passive voice of the verb "to show". It indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being shown something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were shown" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that something was displayed or presented. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, and is generally considered neutral in register. When using "were shown", ensure the context clarifies who or what was displayed and who or what was doing the showing. Alternatives such as "were displayed" or "were presented" may be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were displayed

Uses "displayed" instead of "shown", emphasizing the act of making something visible.

were presented

Emphasizes the act of formally introducing or offering something for consideration.

were exhibited

Suggests a formal showing or display, often in a public setting.

were revealed

Focuses on uncovering or making something known that was previously hidden.

were demonstrated

Highlights the act of proving or illustrating something through example or evidence.

were illustrated

Suggests that something was clarified or explained with examples or visuals.

were unveiled

Implies a formal or ceremonial revealing of something new.

were exposed

Focuses on uncovering something, often with a negative connotation.

were made visible

A more literal way of saying something was shown, emphasizing the act of becoming visible.

were put on display

Highlights the act of arranging something for public viewing.

FAQs

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

Use "were shown" to indicate that something was displayed or demonstrated to someone. For example, "The results "were shown" in the presentation."

What's a good alternative to "were shown"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were displayed", "were presented", or "were revealed".

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

No, "was shown" is singular, while "were shown" is plural. Use "was shown" when referring to a singular subject (e.g., "The document was shown") and "were shown" for plural subjects (e.g., "The documents were shown").

What is the difference between "were shown" and "were displayed"?

While similar, "were shown" implies a deliberate act of presenting something, whereas "were displayed" simply means something was made visible. The best choice depends on the specific context.