were watched by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were watched by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that someone or something was observed by another party in the past. Example: "The wildlife documentary revealed how the animals were watched by researchers for several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jurors' rooms were watched by guards.

The New York Times

We were watched by 4.4m.

The Guardian

They were watched by surprisingly large and enthusiastic crowds.

The New York Times - Sports

Coldplay were watched by a better known rapper, however.

Independent

In 2010, the debates were watched by 22 million people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The television series made from his dozen Poldark historical novels were watched by 15 million people.

The Guardian

The first videos appeared in 2010, and were watched by only a few hundred people.

The Guardian

Whitehall sources do not deny that Libyan refugees and dissidents in Britain were watched by MI5.

The Guardian

We slept on the bare floor and were watched by cameras.

The Guardian

The finals last year were watched by an audience of more than 7,000.

The New York Times - Arts

All of them were watched by a vibrant cultural divide of a spectators' gallery.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were watched by", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is doing the watching to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The experiment was watched by a team of scientists" is clearer than "The experiment was watched by someone."

Common error

A common mistake is using "were watched by" without a clear indication of who is performing the action. Always specify the observer to maintain sentence clarity and avoid vagueness. Avoid sentences like: "Mistakes were watched by someone", and favour: "Mistakes were watched by a quality control team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were watched by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being observed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it being used to describe observation by spectators, surveillance by authorities, or monitoring in scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were watched by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates observation. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and shows a range of contexts, primarily within news and media, where it effectively conveys the act of being observed. While neutral in register, its usage can be tailored with more precise alternatives like "were observed by" for formal settings or "were under surveillance by" to emphasize covert observation. Remember to clearly identify the observer for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were observed by

Replaces "watched" with "observed", suggesting a more formal or scientific observation.

were viewed by

Focuses on the act of seeing or looking at something.

were monitored by

Emphasizes continuous observation, often for a specific purpose like security or research.

were under surveillance by

Highlights the act of being secretly or closely observed, often due to suspicion.

had been watched by

Emphasizes that the watching occurred over a period of time before a specific point.

were overseen by

Suggests supervision or management, implying a level of responsibility.

were kept under observation by

More formal phrasing emphasizing the state of being observed.

were scrutinized by

Indicates careful and critical observation, often with the intent to find flaws.

were inspected by

Suggests a formal examination or evaluation.

were attended by

Implies observation within a group or gathering.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "were observed by" or "were monitored by", which suggest a more detached and professional observation.

What is the difference between "were watched by" and "were overseen by"?

"Were watched by" generally implies observation, while "were overseen by" suggests supervision or management. The latter implies a level of responsibility and authority from the observer.

When should I use "were under surveillance by" instead of "were watched by"?

Use "were under surveillance by" when you want to emphasize that the observation is covert or involves a hidden monitoring effort, often due to suspicion or security concerns. "Were watched by" is a more general term.

Is it correct to use "were watched by" in academic writing?

Yes, "were watched by" is grammatically correct and can be used in academic writing. However, depending on the context, more precise or formal alternatives like "were observed by" or "were analyzed by" may be more appropriate.