were submitted

USAGE SUMMARY

'were submitted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that was previously sent or given to someone else. For example, "The documents were submitted to the court last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plans were submitted.

The Guardian - Books

Three bids were submitted.

The New York Times

Four offers were submitted.

The New York Times

Applications were submitted in September.

Independent

HOW many images were submitted?

The New York Times

Both were submitted as experts.

The Guardian

This time, 92 were submitted.

The New York Times

This year, 10 were submitted.

The New York Times

Only two bids were submitted.

The New York Times

More than 250 comments were submitted.

The New York Times

These cases were submitted together.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using active voice, such as "The students submitted their essays", when possible, to create a more direct and engaging writing style. However, use the passive voice, as in "were submitted", when the actor is unknown or less important than the action itself.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses with "were submitted". For instance, using "was submitted" when referring to multiple items is grammatically incorrect; "were submitted" should be used for plural subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were submitted" functions as the passive voice of the verb "submit". It indicates that an action of submitting was performed on a subject, rather than the subject performing the action, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were submitted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates the formal presentation or handing in of items. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, and it maintains a neutral tone. Consider using active voice for directness, but retain "were submitted" when the action is more important than the actor. Ensure correct tense usage and clarity about who submitted what to whom. Related phrases such as "were presented" or "were handed in" can offer stylistic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been presented

This alternative uses "presented" instead of "submitted", implying a more formal introduction or display of something.

had been handed in

Using "handed in" suggests a more informal or direct delivery of something, typically documents or assignments.

had been filed

This alternative is used primarily in legal or formal settings and refers to the official recording of documents.

had been tendered

"Tendered" implies a formal offer or bid, often in a business or contractual context.

had been lodged

This suggests a formal placement or registration, often with an authority or organization.

had been forwarded

This alternative means something was sent to another person or department.

had been passed on

This conveys the sense of transmitting something, often information or a request, to someone else.

had been delivered

"Delivered" emphasizes the act of bringing something to a specific location or person.

had been given

A more general alternative, implying the act of providing something to someone.

had been transferred

This suggests moving something from one place or person to another, often within a system or organization.

FAQs

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

Use "were submitted" to describe items that have been formally presented or handed in. For example, "The applications "were submitted" by the deadline".

What is a good alternative to "were submitted"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "were presented", "were handed in", or "were filed".

Which is correct, "was submitted" or "were submitted"?

"Were submitted" is correct when referring to multiple items, while "was submitted" is used for a single item. For example, "The report was submitted" versus "The reports "were submitted"".

What's the difference between "were submitted" and "were presented"?

"Were submitted" generally implies a formal handing in or presentation, while "were presented" suggests a more formal introduction or display, emphasizing the act of showing or introducing something.