were subject to

USAGE SUMMARY

"were subject to" is a valid phrase used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has been subjected to something else, such as a law, rule, or idea. For example, "The villagers were subject to strict water usage regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mathematicians were subject to repeated political evaluations.

The Economist

Political dissenters were subject to severe penalties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Religious services were subject to heavy restrictions.

Independent

Departures were subject to approval by managers.

The New York Times

It said the individuals involved were subject to disciplinary action.

The Guardian

Patrons were subject to searches before entering the gates.

The New York Times - Sports

They were subject to special taxes and, often, dress codes.

The New York Times - Arts

They were subject to the same rigorous academic standards".

The New York Times

So they knew they were subject to surveillance.

The New York Times

We were subject to a long period of bad treatment".

The Guardian

First, civilians were subject to rocket and artillery barrages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were subject to" to clearly indicate that a person, object, or process experienced or was affected by a specific condition, rule, or action.

Common error

Avoid using "were subject to" when you mean "depending on". "Were subject to" indicates a condition or imposition, not a contingency. For example, say "The schedule is dependent on the weather", not "The schedule were subject to the weather."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were subject to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced a specific condition, action, or rule imposed upon them. As Ludwig AI states, it is a valid phrase used in written English. This is shown in the Ludwig examples, like "Religious services "were subject to" heavy restrictions".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were subject to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in the English language. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to indicate that a person, object, or process has experienced or been affected by a specific condition, rule, or action. It appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral to formal in register, it is important to avoid confusing it with phrases like "depending on", and to use it accurately to convey the intended meaning of being under the influence or control of something. Example usages from Ludwig includes contexts like "Religious services "were subject to" heavy restrictions", "civilians "were subject to" rocket and artillery barrages".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were affected by

Focuses on the impact or consequence of something.

were exposed to

Emphasizes the experience of being exposed to something, often implying a direct or sensory experience.

were liable to

Focuses on the legal or probable consequence of being subject to something.

were prone to

Highlights a natural tendency or inclination towards something.

were controlled by

Indicates that something's actions or existence are limited by something.

were open to

Suggests a possibility or vulnerability to being affected by something.

were dictated by

Emphasizes the authoritative control or influence of something.

were under

Implies a state of being controlled or influenced by something.

were governed by

Stresses the rule or system that controls something.

were at the mercy of

Highlights a lack of control and vulnerability to an external force.

FAQs

How can I use "were subject to" in a sentence?

Use "were subject to" to indicate that someone or something experienced or was affected by a particular rule, law, or condition. For example, "The prisoners "were subject to" harsh treatment".

What's a more formal alternative to "were subject to"?

A more formal alternative could be "were governed by" or "were controlled by", depending on the specific context and the intended meaning.

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

Yes, use "was subject to" for singular subjects (e.g., "He was subject to the new regulations") and ""were subject to"" for plural subjects (e.g., "They "were subject to" the same rules").

What's the difference between "were subject to" and "were susceptible to"?

"Were subject to" implies being under a rule or condition, while "were susceptible to" implies vulnerability to something. For example, "The data "were subject to" analysis", but "The patients were susceptible to infection".