were written

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were written" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was created or composed in the past, typically referring to texts or documents. Example: "The reports were written by the team last month to summarize the findings of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Books were written.

The New York Times

Calculations were written down.

The New York Times - Tech

Both were written humanistically".

The New Yorker

Articles were written: "Arraignment Postponed".

The New York Times

"Things were written about me.

The Guardian - Sport

Both aircraft were written off.

The Guardian

They were written by Brownstein.

The New Yorker

"They were written for money".

The Guardian - Books

The sketches were written quickly.

The New York Times - Arts

Dozens were written in identical handwriting.

The Economist

The menus were written in swoopy cursive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the author or creator, follow "were written" with "by". E.g., "The letters were written by hand."

Common error

Avoid using "were written" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The report were written by John", consider "John wrote the report" for a clearer sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were written" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received the action of writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Huffington Post

10%

Los Angeles Times

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were written" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its diverse applicability, with prominent usage in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" contexts. When using "were written", remember to emphasize the written work over the writer and to choose the active voice when directness is preferred. Alternatives like "were composed" or "were authored" can offer nuanced meanings. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "were written" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were composed

This alternative emphasizes the act of creating something, especially music or literature, with a slightly more formal tone.

were authored

This highlights the act of being the writer or creator of a piece of work.

were created

This focuses on the general act of bringing something into existence, which can be broader than just writing.

were documented

This emphasizes the recording or detailing of information in a written form.

were penned

A more literary or old-fashioned way of saying "were written", implying a careful and deliberate act of writing.

were drafted

This suggests the initial creation of a document or piece of writing, often implying it might be revised later.

were inscribed

Implies writing something onto a surface, often in a formal or permanent way.

were formulated

This suggests the careful and systematic creation of something, like a plan or theory, in written form.

were recorded

Focuses on the act of preserving information in writing for future reference.

were set down

Implies a deliberate act of writing something down, often to ensure it is remembered or preserved.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were written" is used in the passive voice to indicate that something was created in written form. For example, "The books "were written" over a period of five years."

What are some alternatives to using "were written"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were composed", "were authored", or "were created" instead of "were written".

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

"Were written" is used for plural subjects, while "was written" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The letters were written" (plural) versus "The letter was written" (singular).

What's the difference between "were written" and "are written"?

"Were written" indicates that the writing occurred in the past, whereas "are written" indicates that the writing is ongoing or habitual in the present. For instance, "The instructions were written last year" versus "The instructions are written annually".