were viewed as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were viewed as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate how something was perceived or interpreted by others in the past. Example: "In the past, these practices were viewed as essential for maintaining community cohesion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We were viewed as outlaws.

The Guardian - Arts

Carroll's complaints were viewed as sour grapes.

The New York Times - Sports

Historically, the very poor were viewed as bad credit risks.

The New York Times

Those criticisms were viewed as crossing a line.

The New York Times

The Hawks were viewed as a second-tier team.

The New York Times

Far from dangerous, the projects were viewed as nurturing.

The New York Times

Only a handful of contests were viewed as competitive.

The New York Times

Businesses that did not expand were viewed as failures.

The Guardian

They were viewed as desirable alterations of the landscape.

The New York Times - Science

Those who counseled otherwise were viewed as alarmists.

The New York Times

Yet some were viewed as turncoats when they left.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs to replace "viewed" if you need to add impact or convey a specific nuance such as "perceived", "regarded", or "deemed".

Common error

Overusing passive voice without specifying who did the viewing can lead to vague and less impactful writing. Make sure to clarify who "viewed" the subject as such, if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were viewed as" functions as a passive construction, indicating how a subject was perceived or regarded by others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It is used to describe past perceptions, opinions, or assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were viewed as" is a common and grammatically sound way to express how something was perceived or considered in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from news reports to academic analyses. While its neutral register makes it versatile, writers should ensure clarity by specifying who held the view. Although alternatives like "were regarded as" or "were considered to be" exist, "were viewed as" effectively communicates a sense of past perception or assessment. With its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the use of "were viewed as" can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were regarded as

Focuses on the act of considering or thinking about something in a specific way.

were considered as

Highlights the act of assessing or judging something based on certain criteria.

were perceived as

Emphasizes the sensory or intuitive understanding of something.

were seen as

Focuses on the visual or observational aspect of how something was understood.

were known as

Highlights the recognition or familiarity of something by a particular name or description.

were deemed as

Emphasizes a formal judgment or decision about something.

were thought of as

Highlights the mental conception or idea of something.

were understood as

Focuses on the cognitive comprehension or interpretation of something.

were interpreted as

Emphasizes the act of explaining or giving meaning to something.

were characterized as

Highlights the defining features or qualities used to describe something.

FAQs

How can I use "were viewed as" in a sentence?

You can use "were viewed as" to describe how something was perceived or considered in the past. For example: "Historically, these actions "were viewed as" acceptable."

What are some alternatives to "were viewed as"?

Some alternatives include "were regarded as", "were considered as", and "were perceived as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "were viewed as" is in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For instance, instead of "The actions "were viewed as" suspicious", you could say "People viewed the actions as suspicious".

What's the difference between "were viewed as" and "were considered to be"?

"Were viewed as" generally refers to a perception or opinion, while "were considered to be" implies a more formal or deliberate assessment. Both phrases can often be used interchangeably, but the subtle difference in meaning can influence your word choice.