were tailored for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were tailored for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was specifically designed or customized for a particular purpose or audience. Example: "The training programs were tailored for the needs of new employees to ensure a smooth onboarding process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

With wide doorways and lowered sinks, many Eastwood units were tailored for wheelchair-bound residents, who have historically made up a significant part of the island community, said Virginia Granato, president of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association.

The New York Times

According to the university, the Scottish poet's songs, written in the late 18th and early 19th century, were "tailored for the parlours of the middle classes", and would have been performed in that setting on Baroque harpsichords, cellos and violas, rather than their more usual airing today; in a pub, accompanied by a violin or guitar.

The Guardian - Books

Marc Dietz, director, IBM SmartCloud Solutions Bringing advanced technology to all workers: Until recently, advanced IT solutions that were tailored for specific lines of business were unavailable to mainstream workers; but today, marketers, sales reps, accountants, and lawyers have direct access to the most advanced technology via cloud computing.

The Guardian

"In Shakespeare's time," Walter said, "the women's roles were tailored for boys, and thus I think those roles — though others might dispute me on this — were given greater breadth than women's roles might have been because they were played by boys: young boys needed the experience of complex characters in order to grow into the bigger roles.

The New Yorker

It was not just that the slim-cut suits, heavily skewed toward sportswear, were tailored for men with plenty of spare time to look after their athletic bodies, it was that the quilted leather coats, shearling linings and luxury woolens bespoke a confident ease with the trappings of wealth.

The New York Times

Their electron transport chains (ETCs) resemble those of free-living bacteria, but were tailored for energy transformation within the host cell.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

American sports have been tailored for television.

The Guardian - Sport

And they are tailored for specific audiences.

The New York Times

McCarthy said Monday the plan is tailored for the states.

The Guardian

Microsoft's Web services technology is tailored for Windows.

The New York Times

A busier, more commercial cover is tailored for the newsstand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were tailored for", ensure the context clearly indicates what was customized and for whom or what purpose. For example, "The marketing campaign were tailored for millennials" specifies both the customization (the campaign) and the target audience (millennials).

Common error

Avoid using "was tailored for" when referring to multiple items or a plural subject. Use "were tailored for" to maintain correct subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were tailored for" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something (the subject) has been specifically designed or modified to suit a particular purpose, requirement, or individual. Ludwig shows this is true across multiple examples and contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were tailored for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates something has been specifically designed or modified to suit a particular purpose or audience. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans across scientific, news, and business contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure correct subject-verb agreement and clarity in specifying what was customized and for what purpose. Alternatives include "were customized for", "were designed for", and "were adapted for". By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "were tailored for" to convey precise meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were customized for

Focuses on modification to suit specific needs or preferences, rather than design.

were designed for

Emphasizes the initial planning and creation with a specific purpose in mind.

were adapted for

Highlights the process of changing something to make it suitable for a new use or situation.

were fashioned for

Suggests a careful and skillful creation, often implying a higher level of craftsmanship.

were made to measure for

Specifically indicates that something was created to precise specifications.

were fitted for

Implies an adjustment to properly suit a purpose or individual.

were purposed for

Highlights the intended function or aim from the beginning.

were intended for

Focuses on the planned use or destination of something.

were geared towards

Indicates that something is designed to be especially suitable for a particular group or activity.

were shaped for

Emphasizes the influence on the form or structure to meet a certain need.

FAQs

How can I use "were tailored for" in a sentence?

Use "were tailored for" to describe something that has been specifically designed or modified to suit a particular purpose or individual. For example, "The software updates "were tailored for" improving user experience".

What are some alternatives to "were tailored for"?

Some alternatives include "were customized for", "were designed for", or "were adapted for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "was tailored for" instead of "were tailored for"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "was tailored for" with singular subjects (e.g., "The suit was tailored for him"), and "were tailored for" with plural subjects (e.g., "The suits "were tailored for" them").

What does "were tailored for" imply about the creation or modification process?

"Were tailored for" suggests a deliberate and specific adaptation to meet particular needs or specifications. This indicates a process that goes beyond a general design to a more customized and precise approach.