were waged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were waged" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe conflicts, battles, or efforts that were carried out in the past. Example: "The wars were waged over territory and resources, leaving a lasting impact on the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Several Civil War battles were waged in this region.

The New York Times - Travel

Successful campaigns were waged against the Tibetans, the Turks, and the Khitans (Chinese: Qidan).

Britannica

Bitter battles were fought over these issues, political campaigns were waged, friendships were broken.

The New Yorker

Resistance was strong in western Igboland, where a series of wars were waged against the British.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even prolonged conflicts like the Korean War and Vietnam were waged with no formal Congressional declaration.

The New York Times

Once conventions were battlefields where real fights were waged over platforms, personalities and power.

The New York Times

It expands on toponymic commemoration as a measure of conciliation for a politically divided nation and as an arena where political struggles between Left and Right were waged.

Political Geography

The propaganda battles between emperors and popes were waged largely through sermons, but handwritten literature also played a part.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Up through the Second World War, most conflicts were waged between national armies fighting on well-defined battlefields.

The New York Times - Magazine

Scholarly battles were waged among the critics of Darwin - Karl von Baer, Nikolai Iakovlevich Danilevskii and Sergei Ivanovich Korzhinskii, and others - and the defenders of the faith.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was waged over their pay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the passive voice construction "were waged" to emphasize the action rather than the actor, particularly when describing historical events or conflicts. This shifts the focus to the event itself, maintaining a neutral and objective tone.

Common error

Avoid substituting "waged" with verbs that don't convey the same sense of sustained effort or conflict, such as "started" or "happened". "Waged" implies a deliberate and often prolonged undertaking, while other verbs may lack this connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were waged" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (typically a conflict, battle, or campaign) was carried out. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across diverse contexts, confirming its role in describing past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

24%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were waged" is a versatile and frequently used passive construction, primarily employed to describe the undertaking of conflicts, battles, or campaigns. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various reputable sources. While alternatives like "were conducted" or "were fought" exist, "were waged" carries a specific nuance that implies a sustained and often deliberate effort. It is most frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and academic texts, highlighting its suitability for objective and informative writing. When using "were waged", ensure the subject is plural and be mindful of the subtle difference between "waged" and similar verbs to maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were conducted

Focuses on the execution or management of an event or activity, similar to how a war or campaign is managed.

were carried out

Emphasizes the completion or performance of an action, often involving a planned effort.

were fought

Specifically refers to battles or conflicts, maintaining a similar combative context.

were executed

Highlights the planned and deliberate nature of an action, implying a strategic approach.

were undertaken

Stresses the initiation and commitment to a task or endeavor, often involving challenges.

were prosecuted

Implies a formal or legal pursuit, maintaining the sense of a determined effort, but applicable in contexts like legal battles.

were pursued

Focuses on the continuous effort to achieve a goal, suggesting a persistent approach.

were advanced

Highlights the progress or furtherance of a cause or idea, suitable when the context involves promoting something.

were implemented

Stresses the practical application of a plan or system, suitable when the context involves putting something into effect.

were launched

Emphasizes the commencement or initiation of an activity, implying a decisive start.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were waged" is used to describe the act of carrying on a war, campaign, or conflict. For example, "The battles "were waged" fiercely on both sides of the border".

What are some alternatives to using "were waged"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were conducted", "were fought", or "were carried out". Each of these offers a slightly different nuance.

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

No, "was waged" is used with a singular subject, while "were waged" is used with a plural subject. For example, "The war was waged" (singular) vs. "The wars "were waged"" (plural).

What is the difference between "were waged" and "were fought"?

While both phrases describe conflict, "were fought" specifically refers to physical battles or contests. "Were waged", on the other hand, can also refer to non-physical conflicts like campaigns or debates. Consider the sentence: "The propaganda battles "were waged" largely through sermons, but handwritten literature also played a part."