were taken over

USAGE SUMMARY

'were taken over' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation in which someone or something has been taken control of or taken charge of by someone else. For example, "The local business was taken over by a big corporation last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those functions were taken over by a D.S.P. chip.

The New York Times - Tech

Many civilian posts were taken over by military commanders.

The Guardian

Some were taken over by foreign megabanks, and Barings imploded.

The Guardian - Business

And what ended up happening is that most Mexican banks were taken over by foreign banks.

Yale University

On Tuesday, both Glitnir and Landsbanki were taken over by the government.

The New Yorker

They were taken over by the Park Commission in 1963 (rides then were 5 cents).

The New York Times

Many of the mines were taken over by cooperatives owned by former employees.

Britannica

The most lucrative parts of Yukos were taken over by Rosneft, making it Russia's largest company.

The Guardian

Its passenger services were taken over by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Amtrakk) in 1972.

Britannica

Many savings institutions that were taken over by regulators held large portfolios of junk bonds.

The New York Times

Our conversations were taken over by talk of medical procedures and practicalities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were taken over", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what was previously in control and who or what assumed control. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was taken over" when referring to multiple subjects; "were taken over" is correct for plural subjects. For example, "The companies were taken over", not "The companies was taken over".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were taken over" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent an action performed by an external agent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were taken over" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction used to describe a shift in control or ownership. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples confirms its versatility and widespread acceptance across diverse contexts. It's particularly prevalent in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. Understanding subject-verb agreement and using it in appropriate contexts are crucial for effective communication. Related phrases like "were acquired by" and "were seized by" offer nuanced alternatives, depending on the specific nature of the takeover.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were acquired by

Emphasizes the acquisition of something, often in a business or corporate context.

were seized by

Suggests a forceful or abrupt change of control, often involving conflict or illegality.

were assumed by

Implies the taking on of responsibility or a role by someone.

were superseded by

Indicates that something has been replaced or rendered obsolete by something else.

were controlled by

Highlights the aspect of being under someone's power or direction.

were commandeered by

Signifies the taking of something for military or public use, often temporarily.

were usurped by

Implies the unlawful seizure of power or position.

were inherited by

Denotes the passing of control or ownership through inheritance.

were occupied by

Suggests that a place or territory is being held by a foreign power.

were managed by

Focuses on the administrative aspect of being in charge or overseeing something.

FAQs

How is "were taken over" used in a sentence?

"Were taken over" indicates a passive action where entities have had control relinquished to another party. For instance, "The failing businesses "were taken over" by a larger corporation".

What's the difference between "were taken over" and "took over"?

"Were taken over" is passive, focusing on the entity that experienced the change. "Took over" is active, emphasizing the entity that initiated the change. For example, "The company "were taken over"" versus "The corporation "took over" the company".

What are some synonyms for "were taken over"?

Similar phrases include "were acquired by", "were seized by", or "were assumed by", each carrying slightly different connotations related to the manner of control transfer.

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

Use "was taken over" for singular subjects and "were taken over" for plural subjects. For example, "The business was taken over" is correct, while "The businesses were taken over" is also correct.