were taken back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were taken back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is surprised or shocked by something that has happened or been said. Example: "When she heard the news, she were taken back by the unexpected turn of events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And were taken back to their cage.

The Guardian

Some were taken back to plantations and returned to slavery.

The Guardian

Donner's two older daughters were taken back to the fort.

The New Yorker

They were taken back to the hospital in Jackson.

The New York Times

Those passengers were taken back to New Jersey.

The New York Times

The 245 passengers were taken back to the terminal.

The Guardian

We were taken back to our captors to face our punishment.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Tolokonnikova was taken back to jail.

The New York Times

It can't be taken back.

The New Yorker

Can it be taken back?

The Guardian

Never to be taken back.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were taken back", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was returned or transported, and to where. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was taken back" when referring to a plural subject. Ensure subject-verb agreement by using "were" for plural subjects and "was" for singular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were taken back" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being returned or brought back, instead of performing the action. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were taken back" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe the action of returning something or someone to a previous place or state. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammatical rules and is very commonly used. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject-verb agreement is correct and the context clearly indicates what or who was returned. Its usage ranges from neutral to formal registers, making it appropriate for a variety of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were brought back

Focuses on the action of physically returning something or someone.

were returned

Emphasizes the act of giving something back to its original place or owner.

were transported back

Highlights the transportation aspect of returning something to a previous location.

were sent back

Focuses on the sending action to return something or someone.

were carried back

Emphasizes the physical act of carrying something back.

were led back

Highlights guidance or direction in returning someone or something.

were escorted back

Suggests a formal or protected return.

recalled

Implies remembering something from the past.

relived

Suggests experiencing a past event again.

were reminded of

Focuses on being reminded of a past event or memory.

FAQs

How can I use "were taken back" in a sentence?

The phrase "were taken back" is used in the passive voice to describe a situation where someone or something is returned to a previous location or state. For example, "The prisoners "were taken back" to their cells after the interrogation."

What are some alternatives to "were taken back"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were returned", "were brought back", or "recalled" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was taken back" instead of "were taken back"?

The choice between "was taken back" and "were taken back" depends on the subject of the sentence. Use "was taken back" for singular subjects and "were taken back" for plural subjects. For example, "The item was taken back to the store" (singular) versus "The items "were taken back" to the store" (plural).

What's the difference between "were taken back" and "recalled"?

"Were taken back" often implies a physical return to a place or state, whereas "recalled" typically refers to remembering something. For instance, "The troops "were taken back" to base" (physical return) versus "She recalled the events of that day" (remembering).