were treated with

USAGE SUMMARY

"were treated with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing how someone or something was handled in a particular situation. For example, "The patients were treated with care and respect by the medical team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Customers were treated with respect.

The New Yorker

Toothaches were treated with sage and nettles.

The New Yorker

Small shareholders were treated with contempt.

The Economist

Nineteen were treated with antiepilepsy drugs.

Stanford University

Five mice were treated with HDM.

Nature

Control cells were treated with 0.1% DMSO.

Nature

The cells were treated with different drugs.

Nature

**Patients were treated with escitalopram or nortriptyline.

Nature

These were treated with UGTI.

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

59 were treated with morphine, and 58 were treated with morphine and clonidine.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Control sections were treated with preimmune serum.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were treated with", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what received the treatment, and the object specifies the method or substance used. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "were treated with" in ways that obscure who performed the treatment. While passive voice is acceptable, ensure the context provides clarity, or consider rephrasing to active voice to explicitly state the agent of action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were treated with" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received a specific form of care, handling, or exposure. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its widespread use in describing medical treatments, experimental conditions, and even interpersonal interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

33%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were treated with" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction, primarily utilized to articulate the specific approach, substance, or method implemented in handling or caring for a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for describing treatments, experiments, or interactions across diverse domains. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. While its usage is generally straightforward, writers should ensure clarity by explicitly stating the subject and treatment, and consider active voice when emphasizing the actor. It is a versatile phrase for reporting procedures and methods concisely and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were administered

Focuses on the formal process of giving a substance, typically in a medical context.

were given

Focuses on the act of providing something, usually a medication or a specific type of care.

received treatment involving

Focuses on the reception of a therapeutic process, rather than just the application.

were given a course of

Emphasizes a duration of treatment or a series of procedures.

underwent a procedure with

Highlights the experience of going through a medical process involving specific tools or substances.

were managed with

Suggests a strategic approach to care or problem-solving, focusing on overall handling.

were subjected to

Emphasizes the action of being exposed to something, potentially highlighting a process more forceful or unwanted.

were exposed to

Highlights the aspect of being subjected to something, often chemicals or environmental factors.

were handled using

Highlights the method or approach used in managing a situation or object.

benefited from

Shifts the focus to the positive outcomes resulting from an action or exposure.

FAQs

How can I use "were treated with" in a sentence?

Use "were treated with" to describe the specific method, substance, or approach used to handle a situation or provide care, as in "Patients "were treated with" antibiotics".

What are some alternatives to "were treated with"?

Consider using alternatives like "were given", "were administered", or "received treatment involving" to express similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were treated with"?

While "were treated with" is in the passive voice, it's grammatically correct. Choose active voice (e.g., "doctors treated patients with") if you want to emphasize the actor; otherwise, passive voice is suitable when the action is the focus.

What's the difference between "were treated with" and "were exposed to"?

"Were treated with" implies an intentional action to provide care or manage a situation, while "were exposed to" suggests an unintentional or experimental subjection to something.