were withdrawn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were withdrawn" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The students' applications for financial aid were withdrawn due to missing information.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His worldly honors were withdrawn.

The New Yorker

Eighty pending proposals were withdrawn.

The Economist

Three other charges were withdrawn.

The Guardian

Ultimately, those motions were withdrawn.

The Guardian

Conveniently, however, 74 of these were withdrawn.

The Economist

The proposals were withdrawn last Friday".

Independent

Those wines were withdrawn from the auction.

The New York Times

●All U.S. troops were withdrawn from Iraq.

The Washington Post

Combat troops were withdrawn by July 2009.

The Guardian

U.S. troops were withdrawn in 2011.

The New Yorker

Distribution charges against him were withdrawn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were withdrawn" to indicate a formal removal or cancellation of something, such as troops, proposals, or charges. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is being removed and the reason behind it.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "were withdrawn". Ensure the surrounding sentences also use past tense to maintain consistency. For example, instead of 'The charges are withdrawn because...', use 'The charges were withdrawn because...'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were withdrawn" functions as the passive voice of the verb 'withdraw' in the past tense. As supported by Ludwig AI, this indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being withdrawn, rather than performing it. It is often used to report or describe past events where something was removed, retracted, or cancelled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were withdrawn" is a versatile and frequently used expression indicating the completed past action of removing or cancelling something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly appears in formal writing, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Although its register is generally neutral, it can also lean towards formality. When using "were withdrawn", remember to maintain consistent tense and ensure clarity regarding what is being removed and why. Alternatives include "were retracted" and "were cancelled", which can add nuance depending on the specific context. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively and accurately incorporate "were withdrawn" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were retracted

Replaces 'withdrawn' with 'retracted', emphasizing a formal cancellation or removal, especially in academic or official contexts.

were cancelled

Substitutes 'withdrawn' with 'cancelled', indicating that something was terminated or nullified.

were revoked

Replaces 'withdrawn' with 'revoked', implying that authority or permission has been taken away.

were repealed

Implies a law or regulation that has been officially cancelled or abolished.

were terminated

Substitutes 'withdrawn' to indicate a formal ending or discontinuation.

were rescinded

Replaces 'withdrawn' with 'rescinded', indicating a formal annulment or reversal of a decision or agreement.

were invalidated

Substitutes 'withdrawn' to suggest something was declared without legal force.

were suspended

Replaces 'withdrawn' to indicate a temporary removal or cessation.

were taken back

Uses a more informal phrasing, replacing 'withdrawn' with 'taken back', implying a removal or retrieval.

were called off

Substitutes 'withdrawn' with a colloquial expression, indicating the cancellation of a scheduled event.

FAQs

How do I use "were withdrawn" in a sentence?

Use "were withdrawn" to describe the past action of removing something, like 'The troops "were withdrawn" from the area' or 'The charges "were withdrawn" due to lack of evidence'.

What phrases are similar to "were withdrawn"?

Similar phrases include "were retracted", "were cancelled", or "were rescinded". The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality.

Which is correct, "were withdrawn" or "was withdrawn"?

"Were withdrawn" is used for plural subjects (e.g., 'The charges were withdrawn'), while "was withdrawn" is used for singular subjects (e.g., 'The accusation was withdrawn').

What's the difference between "were withdrawn" and "had been withdrawn"?

"Were withdrawn" indicates a simple past action, while "had been withdrawn" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example, 'The troops were withdrawn last week' versus 'The troops "had been withdrawn" before the new agreement was signed'.