were weighed

USAGE SUMMARY

"were weighed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the past tense of the verb weigh. For example, "The vegetables were weighed before they were placed in the sales bin."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Orts were weighed back daily.

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

The samples were weighed at regular intervals.

Carbon

Warm carcasses were weighed and graded (Destron).

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Animals were weighed every 14 days.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Animals were weighed to determine ADG.

The Professional Animal Scientist

Pots were weighed daily during the experiment.

Nature

Mice were weighed weekly and fed daily.

Nature

Bottles were weighed and rotated daily.

Nature

"Those aspects were weighed very carefully.

The New York Times - Arts

(In one measure, used tissues were weighed).

The New York Times - Health

The risks were weighed against new realities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scientific procedure, ensure the method of weighing (e.g., type of scale, precision) is included for reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid using "were weighed" when the active voice would provide a clearer and more direct description of who or what performed the weighing. For example, instead of "The samples were weighed by the technician," use "The technician weighed the samples."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were weighed" functions as the past passive form of the verb "weigh". It indicates that a subject received the action of having its weight measured. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

88%

News & Media

10%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were weighed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase indicating that something has had its weight measured in the past. Ludwig AI validates this conclusion. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, its proper usage involves ensuring that the passive voice is appropriate and does not obscure clarity. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express the same concept, while awareness of common errors, such as misuse of the passive voice, can improve writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had their weight measured

Changes the verb and adds a possessive pronoun to emphasize the subject's experience of being weighed.

had their mass determined

Replaces "weighed" with "mass determined", focusing on mass rather than weight, which can be more precise in scientific contexts.

weights were taken

Shifts the focus to the action of recording the weights, rather than the process of weighing.

measurement of weight occurred

More formal and emphasizes the act of measurement rather than the subject being weighed.

underwent weighing

Emphasizes the process the subject goes through, using a more technical term, "weighing".

experienced weight assessment

Replaces "weighed" with "weight assessment", giving a more formal and comprehensive feel.

their weight was ascertained

Uses a more formal vocabulary to indicate the weight determination.

the weight was measured on them

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize that an external force measured their weight.

mass was gauged

Uses "gauged" implying an approximate or estimated measurement of mass.

scale recorded their weight

Highlights the scale's role in the process, rather than directly stating they were weighed.

FAQs

How is "were weighed" used in a sentence?

"Were weighed" indicates the past passive form of the verb weigh, meaning something was subjected to the act of having its weight measured. For example, "The ingredients "were weighed" before mixing them together".

What are some alternative phrases for "were weighed"?

Alternatives include "had their weight measured", "had their mass determined", or "weights were taken", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "were weighed" or "weighed"?

The choice depends on the context. "Weighed" (active voice) is used when the subject performs the action: "The scientist weighed the sample." "Were weighed" (passive voice) is used when the subject receives the action: "The sample "were weighed" by the scientist."

What is the difference between "were weighed" and "were weighted"?

"Were weighed" refers to the act of determining the mass or heaviness of something. "Were weighted", on the other hand, means that something was given importance or consideration. For example, "The pros and cons "were weighted" before making a decision".