were to be seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were to be seen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression when referring to something that has been seen or expected to be seen in the past. For example, "Countless shooting stars were to be seen in the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And indeed none were to be seen.

The New York Times

No Georgian soldiers were to be seen.

The New York Times

During this chase no police were to be seen.

The Guardian

At first, no boys were to be seen.

The New Yorker

Dodds Auditorium was packed, yet only a handful of men were to be seen.

Princeton University

Patients were to be seen 4 weeks after the operation to assess wound healing.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Only 10 of the company's 24 principal dancers were to be seen.

The New York Times - Arts

Germans moved about the country, however, and were to be seen in Dakad's hotel.

The New York Times - Books

None of the cattle were to be seen except for the dead one.

The New Yorker

On the uniforms of the team personnel, no logos were to be seen.

The Guardian - Sport

But few American flags were to be seen, and no discarded images of the president.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were to be seen" to describe a situation in the past where something was expected or possible to be observed, adding a layer of anticipation or potentiality to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "were to be seen" in present or future contexts; this phrase is specifically for describing past situations or conditions. For present or future situations, consider using "can be seen" or "will be seen."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were to be seen" functions as a passive construction describing a state of being visible or observable in the past. It often implies that the presence of something was expected or possible. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing past events or historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "were to be seen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, especially in journalistic and academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability for describing past observations or expectations. The phrase functions as a passive construction, typically conveying information about what was visible or noticeable under specific circumstances. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it leans slightly towards formality, due to its common occurrence in news articles, scientific papers, and academic texts. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "could be observed" or "were visible" to convey similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were visible

Emphasizes the state of being able to be seen, simplifying the original phrase.

could be observed

Focuses on the act of observation rather than the possibility of being seen.

were noticed

Highlights that something has come to someone's attention.

were in sight

Indicates presence within a certain range of vision.

were on display

Suggests that something was intentionally shown or exhibited.

could be detected

Suggests a discovery or finding, implying the act of noticing something.

were on view

Similar to "were on display", but can also imply a more casual or accidental sighting.

were apparent

Highlights the obviousness or clarity of something being seen.

were present

Simply states the existence of something in a location.

were around

Informally indicates the presence of something in a general area.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were to be seen" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives such as "could be observed", "were visible", or "were in sight" depending on the context.

What does "were to be seen" imply about the situation?

It suggests that something was present and observable in the past, often with an implication that it was expected or typical to be seen in that situation.

Is "were to be seen" formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in written English and news reports than in casual conversation.

Can "was to be seen" be used instead of "were to be seen"?

"Was to be seen" is used with singular nouns, while "were to be seen" is used with plural nouns. For example, "The ship was to be seen on the horizon" versus "The ships were to be seen on the horizon".