were untouched by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were untouched by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been affected or altered by a particular influence or event. Example: "The ancient ruins were untouched by modern development, preserving their historical significance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

FEW corners of cyberspace were untouched by last week's horror.

The New York Times - Tech

The bats, however, were untouched by his teammate's success.

The New York Times - Sports

Few places on the block were untouched by dust.

The New York Times

Few corners of the United States were untouched by suffrage activism.

Harvard University

"One had the impression that the dresses were untouched by human hand".

The New Yorker

As a child, she loved these places, which were untouched by suburban development.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's untouched by technology".

The New York Times

Christian (that name) is untouched by love.

The New Yorker

It was untouched by the flames.

The New York Times - Magazine

None was untouched by war.

The Guardian - Books

Almost no-one will be untouched by this.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were untouched by" to emphasize a state of preservation or a lack of influence when describing historical events, environmental conditions, or personal experiences. For example: "The ancient artifacts "were untouched by" the recent floods, preserving their historical value."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "were untouched by". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Instead, consider active voice constructions where appropriate to create a more dynamic and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were untouched by" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject experienced a lack of influence or alteration from an external factor. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical correctness and wide applicability. For example, "These reserves "were untouched by" the 2009 bushfires."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

17%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were untouched by" is a versatile passive construction used to express a lack of influence or alteration. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide use across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also frequents scientific and academic writing. Key alternatives include "remained unaffected by" and "were uninfluenced by". When writing, ensure the correct subject-verb agreement (was/were) and avoid overusing passive voice to maintain a dynamic tone. In summary, "were untouched by" is a reliable way to convey preservation or immunity from change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were untouched

Shorter variation, directly stating the lack of influence.

remained unaffected by

Focuses on the state of remaining unchanged despite an external influence.

were unaffected by

Direct synonym indicating no impact or influence.

were not affected by

A more direct and simple way of saying that something had no impact.

were uninfluenced by

Indicates a lack of impact on opinions or actions.

were immune to

Suggests a resistance or invulnerability to a particular effect.

escaped the effects of

Highlights the act of avoiding negative consequences.

were impervious to

Emphasizes the inability of something to penetrate or affect.

were shielded from

Implies a protective barrier preventing influence.

were spared by

Indicates that something was deliberately left unharmed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were untouched by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "remained unaffected by" or "were uninfluenced by". These options offer a similar meaning while conveying a more elevated style.

Is it correct to say "was untouched by" instead of "were untouched by"?

The choice between "was" and "were" depends on the subject. Use "was untouched by" for singular subjects (e.g., "The painting was untouched by the fire"), and "were untouched by" for plural subjects (e.g., "The paintings were untouched by the fire").

What does it mean when something is described as "untouched by" something else?

When something is described as "untouched by" something else, it means that it has not been affected, altered, or influenced by that other thing. It suggests a state of preservation or immunity.

What are some common contexts where I might use the phrase "were untouched by"?

You can use "were untouched by" in contexts such as describing historical artifacts that have survived without damage, natural environments that have remained pristine, or systems or processes that have not been affected by changes or disruptions. For example, describing areas that remained unaffected by urban development.