were suggested

USAGE SUMMARY

"were suggested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing an idea that has been proposed or mentioned in the past. Example: "Several solutions to the problem were suggested, but none of them ultimately proved to be workable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Various names were suggested.

The New York Times

Grand restaurants were suggested.

The New Yorker

Sleazy drive-ins were suggested.

The New Yorker

Desserts were suggested.

The New York Times

During the 1860s several schemes were suggested.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other lines of attack were suggested, too.

The New York Times

Several versions of this classic were suggested.

The Guardian - Music

Requirements of the system were suggested.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Districts to visit were suggested, with specific routes and locations.

The Guardian

Better medical treatment and extra recreational facilities also were suggested.

The New York Times

A variety of possible causes of CCD were suggested.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were suggested", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is doing the suggesting. For instance, "Several solutions were suggested by the team" is more precise than "Several solutions were suggested."

Common error

Avoid using "were suggested" without a clear indication of who made the suggestions. Without a specified subject, the sentence can lack clarity and leave the reader wondering about the source of the ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were suggested" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (suggesting) was performed on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it introducing ideas or proposals in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were suggested" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to introduce ideas or proposals. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. It's particularly common in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what made the suggestions. Consider alternatives like "were proposed" or "were recommended" to add nuance. Be mindful of maintaining a clear subject to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were proposed

Focuses on the act of formally putting forward a plan or idea.

were recommended

Implies endorsement or approval of the ideas being put forward.

were put forward

A more neutral way of saying that ideas were presented for consideration.

were offered

Highlights the act of providing ideas or suggestions.

were submitted

Suggests a formal presentation of ideas, often in writing.

were advanced

Emphasizes the progression or promotion of certain ideas.

were presented

A general term for ideas being shown or made available.

were floated

Suggests ideas being tentatively introduced to gauge reaction.

were mooted

Implies ideas being raised or discussed, often speculatively.

were contemplated

Focuses on the ideas being considered or thought about.

FAQs

How do I use "were suggested" in a sentence?

Use "were suggested" to indicate that ideas or plans were proposed. For example, "Several options "were suggested" during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "were suggested"?

You can use phrases like "were proposed", "were recommended", or "were put forward" as alternatives to "were suggested" depending on the context.

Is "were suggested" formal or informal?

"Were suggested" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "were suggested" and "had been suggested"?

"Were suggested" indicates suggestions made in the past, while "had been suggested" indicates suggestions made earlier in the past relative to another past event. The latter implies a sequence of past actions.