were still to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were still to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was expected or planned to happen in the future at a past time. Example: "The results of the experiment were still to be announced when the conference began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kinks were still to be worked out.

The New York Times

Characterful houses were still to be had at modest prices.

The Guardian

More than 40,000 votes were still to be tallied.

The New York Times

Results from the Australian offer were still to be released.

The New York Times

The main problems, of course, were still to be resolved.

The Guardian - Books

A spokeswoman said precise details of the demonstration in the capital were still to be decided.

The Guardian

In addition, lounge, brunch and tea menus were still to be completed.

The New York Times

Yet Manser's most important public buildings were still to be realised.

The Guardian - Arts

But the best players here were still to be found in the back row.

The Guardian - Sport

Council roads officials said the details of access were still to be confirmed.

The Guardian

Sleeping arrangements, at least for some, were still to be decided.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were still to be" to indicate an action or event that was planned or expected in the past but had not yet occurred at the time of reference. This construction is common in formal writing and news reporting.

Common error

Avoid using "were still to be" in contexts where a simple past tense or past perfect tense would be more appropriate. Overusing the construction can make your writing sound awkward or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were still to be" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase to indicate a future action or state from a past perspective. As shown in Ludwig, it is often used to describe tasks, decisions, or events that had not yet occurred at a certain time but were anticipated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were still to be" is a grammatically sound construction used to denote a future action or state viewed from a past timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It frequently appears in news and media, as well as scientific and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, writers should ensure it aligns with the appropriate tense and context to avoid awkwardness. Alternatives such as "remained to be" or "had yet to be" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By understanding its function and nuances, you can effectively integrate "were still to be" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained to be

Emphasizes the continuation of a state or condition until a future action occurs.

had yet to be

Highlights that something had not happened up to a particular point in the past.

were yet to be

Similar to 'had yet to be' but with a slightly different tense emphasis.

remained outstanding

Focuses on the fact that something is still pending or unresolved.

were pending

Indicates that something was waiting to be decided or completed.

were outstanding

Highlights tasks or items that have not yet been completed or resolved.

were incomplete

Focuses on the lack of completion of a task or process.

were unfinished

Similar to 'were incomplete' but suggests a focus on physical objects or projects.

awaited completion

Indicates that completion was expected or anticipated.

were in progress

Highlights the ongoing nature of something but implies it's not yet finished.

FAQs

How can I use "were still to be" in a sentence?

Use "were still to be" to describe something that had not yet happened at a specific point in the past but was expected or planned. For example, "The final details "were still to be finalized" before the contract could be signed."

What are some alternatives to "were still to be"?

Alternatives include "remained to be", "had yet to be", or "were yet to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to use "was still to be" or "were still to be"?

"Were still to be" is used with plural subjects, while "was still to be" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The details were still to be confirmed" (plural) versus "The plan was still to be approved" (singular).

What's the difference between "were still to be" and "were going to be"?

"Were still to be" indicates an expectation or plan that existed in the past but had not yet been realized. "Were going to be" also indicates a future action in the past, but it doesn't necessarily imply the same level of planning or expectation. For example, "The changes were still to be implemented" suggests a formal plan, while "The changes were going to be implemented" is a more general statement about a future action.