were suggested to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were suggested to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that someone was given advice or a recommendation. Example: During our meeting, several new ideas were suggested to me by my colleagues.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some poems were suggested to Souad by her followers, including her 300,000 friends on Facebook.

The Guardian - Music

And he contrasted this "simplicity" to the "complexity" of the 680 "other studies" that were suggested to him.

The Guardian - Arts

All patients were suggested to avoid the possible headache triggers.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Community disputes were suggested to be impacting development planning.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Item MP3, MP8, and MP10 were suggested to be deleted.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

The possible interface effects were suggested to explain this phenomenon.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

These perceptual effects were suggested to be related to the risk of visual hallucinations.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Layered structure designs were suggested to also obtain the multiple-band absorption devices [34 38].

Nanoscale Research Letters

All patients were suggested to receive an initial FMT followed by repeated FMTs every three months.

Protein & Cell

Therefore, groundwater management measures were suggested to improve the water quality.

Applied Water Science

Sometimes, these were suggested to be even more important than academic ones (Diamond, 2007; Fanoiki, 2014).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were suggested to", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the suggestion and who received it. This clarifies the source and direction of the advice.

Common error

Avoid using "were suggested to" in contexts where the source of the suggestion is unclear. Vague phrasing can lead to confusion about who is recommending the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were suggested to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received a suggestion or recommendation. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and common way to express advice given to someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were suggested to" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that advice or recommendations were given. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, with a generally neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context makes it clear who suggested what to whom. Alternatives like "were recommended to" or "were advised to" can offer slight shifts in emphasis. With 56 examples available, Ludwig provides a wealth of real-world usage to guide your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were recommended to

Emphasizes a formal endorsement or advice.

were advised to

Indicates guidance or counsel given.

were proposed to

Highlights a formal proposition or plan.

were encouraged to

Suggests a motivating influence or support.

were prompted to

Indicates an action initiated by a stimulus.

it was suggested that

Impersonal form, shifting the focus from the actors to the suggestion itself.

suggestions were made to

Highlights the act of making suggestions, rather than the suggestion's impact.

recommendations were put forward

Emphasizes the formal presentation of recommendations.

were given the idea to

More casual, implies a gentle introduction of the suggestion.

were led to believe

Suggests a subtle influence or indirect suggestion.

FAQs

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

You can use "were suggested to" to indicate that someone received advice or a recommendation. For example, "The patients "were suggested to" avoid certain foods."

What are some alternatives to "were suggested to"?

Alternatives include "were recommended to", "were advised to", or "were proposed to", depending on the formality and context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were suggested to"?

Using the active voice might be clearer if you want to emphasize the person or group making the suggestion. However, the passive voice with "were suggested to" is appropriate when the focus is on the recipient of the suggestion or when the source is unimportant or unknown.

What's the difference between "were suggested to" and "were told to"?

"Were suggested to" implies a recommendation or advice, while "were told to" indicates a direct instruction or order. The former is less forceful than the latter.