were united

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were united" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more things being joined, connected, or brought together. For example: "The two countries were united in their mission to defend their homeland."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Palestinians were united in fury.

The Economist

We were united.

The New York Times

The two were united in 1843.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Democrats were united in their opposition.

The New York Times

On consequence they were united.

The New York Times

We were united in everything.

The Guardian - Sport

Then generations of tap artists were united.

The New York Times - Arts

Yesterday, we all really were united.

The New York Times - Sports

"In the past, our churches were united.

The New York Times

Conservative Republicans were united in opposition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Both the Sims works were United States premieres.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were united" to emphasize a state of agreement, connection, or unification that has already been achieved. For example, "After the conflict, the communities were united in their desire for peace."

Common error

Avoid using "were united" when referring to an ongoing or future process of unification. Instead, use "are uniting" or "will be united" to accurately reflect the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were united" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a past state of agreement, connection, or unification. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were united" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a past state of unification, agreement, or connection between multiple entities. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news media and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is plural and that the tense accurately reflects the past state. For alternatives, consider "were in agreement" or "were aligned" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were in agreement

Focuses on shared opinions or decisions.

were in accord

Emphasizes a harmonious state of agreement.

were in unison

Highlights acting or speaking as one.

were aligned

Indicates a state of being in a line or close agreement.

were as one

Suggests a strong sense of unity and togetherness.

were joined

Emphasizes the act of being connected or linked together.

were connected

Highlights a link or association between entities.

were consolidated

Focuses on the process of combining or strengthening.

were integrated

Emphasizes the blending or merging of different elements.

were amalgamated

Suggests a merging or combining of different entities into a single unit.

FAQs

How can I use "were united" in a sentence?

Use "were united" to describe a past state where entities came together in agreement, purpose, or structure. For example, "The nations were united in their condemnation of the act."

What are some alternatives to "were united"?

You can use alternatives like "were in agreement", "were in accord", or "were aligned" to express similar meanings depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was united" instead of "were united"?

No, use "was united" only when referring to a singular subject. "Were united" is appropriate when the subject is plural. For example, "The country was united" (singular) versus "The factions were united" (plural).

What is the difference between "were united" and "became united"?

"Were united" describes a state of being unified, whereas "became united" describes the process of achieving that unity. "They were united in their cause" indicates a pre-existing unity, while "They became united through their shared experiences" describes how they achieved unity.