were suspended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were suspended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone was temporarily halted or stopped from continuing, often in a formal or official context. Example: "The students were suspended for violating the school's code of conduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Raises were suspended, too.

The New York Times

Both were suspended immediately.

The New York Times - Sports

Their sentences were suspended.

The New York Times

GVC shares were suspended.

The Guardian - Business

All were suspended.

The New York Times - Sports

The prison sentences were suspended.

The New York Times

The travel bans were suspended.

The Economist

The two hosts were suspended.

The Guardian - Sport

The four students were suspended.

The New York Times

China Oilfield's shares were suspended.

The New York Times

Only those players were suspended.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were suspended" when you want to indicate a temporary halt or cessation, especially in formal contexts like official announcements or reports. This phrase is effective for conveying a sense of temporary pause without necessarily implying a permanent end.

Common error

Avoid using "were suspended" when you mean something has been permanently stopped or terminated. Suspension implies a temporary state, whereas termination indicates a final end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were suspended" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being suspended. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were suspended" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction indicating a temporary halt or cessation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable in written English, particularly in news reporting, sports coverage, and other factual contexts. While alternatives like "were temporarily halted" or "were put on hold" exist, "were suspended" offers a balance of formality and clarity suitable for professional and neutral registers. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of a temporary, rather than permanent, stop.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were temporarily halted

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the cessation, using more formal vocabulary.

were discontinued temporarily

Similar to "were temporarily halted", but emphasizes the act of stopping something.

were ceased temporarily

Synonymous with "were temporarily halted", highlighting the termination aspect.

were put on hold

A more informal and general way of saying something was stopped temporarily.

were interrupted

Suggests a disruption rather than a planned cessation.

were shelved

Suggests the action has been stopped but can be possibly picked up in the future.

were deactivated

Implies that the action has been completely and temporarily stopped.

were frozen

A way to highlight a momentary state of complete inactivity.

were stood down

Highlights the action of being relieved of duty or position.

were adjourned

Refers specifically to the temporary ending of a meeting or legal case.

FAQs

How to use "were suspended" in a sentence?

The phrase "were suspended" is used to indicate that something or someone has been temporarily stopped or put on hold. For example: "The project activities were suspended due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "were suspended"?

You can use alternatives like "were temporarily halted", "were put on hold", or "were interrupted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were suspended" or "are suspended"?

The correct choice depends on the context and tense. "Were suspended" is past tense, indicating that something was suspended in the past. "Are suspended" is present tense, indicating something is currently suspended.

What's the difference between "were suspended" and "were canceled"?

"Were suspended" implies a temporary cessation with the possibility of resumption, while "were canceled" implies a permanent end. For example, flights might be suspended due to weather but canceled due to bankruptcy.