were to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"were to have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was expected to happen but didn't happen. For example: "She was supposed to have been here by now, but it looks like she were to have been delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Applications were to have been due Wednesday.

The New York Times

All were to have expired Jan . 1

The New York Times

How lucky we were to have her.

The New York Times

Both were to have miraculous escapes.

The Guardian

Broadcasts were to have begun on Thursday.

The New York Times - Arts

— were to have watched their first musical, "Spamalot".

The New York Times

How lucky they were to have someone like Bowie.

The Guardian - Music

Belatedly rallying, Carver's side were to have one more chance.

The Guardian - Sport

If you were to have treatment, what would you choose?

The New York Times - Health

What far-reaching implications they were to have.

The Guardian - Sport

Pilgrims were to have free access to the holy places.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were to have" to clearly indicate that a planned event or action did not occur, emphasizing the original intention or expectation. It is especially useful in news reporting or historical accounts.

Common error

Avoid using "were to have" when you simply want to describe a completed action in the past. Ensure the context implies a non-realized intention or expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were to have" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating a past intention, arrangement, or expectation that did not materialize. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable. This structure is common in expressing unfulfilled plans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were to have" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate a past intention, arrangement, or expectation that was not fulfilled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase in written English. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, formal contexts, and encyclopedic content. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly implies a non-realized intention or expectation to avoid confusion. Common alternatives include "was supposed to have", "was expected to have", and "was scheduled to have". Consider the subject number (singular or plural) when choosing "was" or "were" and remember the nuance differences compared to "were going to have".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was supposed to have

Indicates a plan or arrangement that was expected but did not necessarily occur.

was expected to have

Highlights the anticipation or expectation surrounding a past event.

was scheduled to have

Emphasizes the planned or timetabled nature of a past event.

was going to have

Expresses intention or a future plan in the past.

intended to have

Focuses on the original intention or purpose of a past action.

meant to have

Implies a sense of obligation or predetermination.

should have had

Indicates a missed opportunity or a regretful situation.

ought to have had

Similar to "should have had" but with a stronger sense of moral obligation.

was to possess

Highlights an intended or planned state of ownership in the past.

aimed to have

Focuses on the goal or target that was set for a past action.

FAQs

How do I use "were to have" in a sentence?

"Were to have" is used to describe an event or action that was planned or expected to happen but did not occur. For example, "The meeting "were to have" started at 9 AM, but it was canceled".

What can I say instead of "were to have"?

You can use alternatives like "was supposed to have", "was expected to have", or "was scheduled to have" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "were to have" or "was to have"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was to have" for singular subjects (e.g., "he was to have") and "were to have" for plural subjects (e.g., "they were to have").

What's the difference between "were to have" and "were going to have"?

"Were to have" usually implies a more formal arrangement or expectation that was not fulfilled. "Were going to have" is generally more informal and indicates a simple intention or plan in the past that did not happen.