who were present

USAGE SUMMARY

"who were present" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who were present at a particular event or location. For example, "The company was delighted to see all the members who were present at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

store merchants who were present.

The New Yorker

Those who were present voted against.

The Guardian

For those who were present, thanks again for coming!

Stanford University

Mentions other long-time employees who were present.

The New Yorker

"Present" denotes those who were present but did not vote.

The New York Times

Women who were present confided fears about getting home.

The New York Times

Mentions some of the guests who were present.

The New Yorker

Those who were present said he looked shocked.

The New York Times

Was that a failure of the journalists who were present?

The Guardian

M. HERZOG: Do you remember the persons who were present at this meeting?

Yale University

Faculty members who were present certainly removed any doubt about what the faculty could do.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "who were present", ensure the context clearly indicates the event or location you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "who were present" if the antecedent is unclear. Always ensure it's obvious which group of people you're referring to, otherwise rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who were present" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about the individuals being referred to. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a grammatically sound construction. The phrase introduces a clause that describes or identifies a group of people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who were present" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used relative clause to specify individuals at a particular event or location, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is suitable for a wide range of contexts, especially in news reporting and academic writing. While alternatives like "those in attendance" or "attendees" exist, "who were present" offers a neutral tone suitable for most situations. Be mindful of pronoun reference to ensure clarity in your writing and follow other best practices mentioned above for optimal use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those who attended

Similar in meaning, but uses a different verb form.

individuals present

A slightly more formal alternative, focusing on the individuals' presence.

those in attendance

Replaces "who were present" with a more concise and formal term emphasizing attendance.

people in attendance

Similar to "those in attendance" but less formal.

attendees

A very concise and commonly used term, especially in event contexts.

those on hand

Implies availability and readiness at the location.

the present parties

More formal, often used in legal or official contexts.

the assembled group

Emphasizes the act of gathering together.

on-site personnel

Specifically refers to staff or workers who are present at a location.

available individuals

Highlights the availability of the people at the specific time and place.

FAQs

How can I use "who were present" in a sentence?

You can use "who were present" to identify a group of people at a specific event or location. For instance, "The opinions of those "who were present" at the meeting were taken into consideration."

What phrases can I use instead of "who were present"?

Alternatives include "those in attendance", "individuals present", or simply "attendees", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "who was present" instead of "who were present"?

No, "who was present" is only correct when referring to a single person. "Who were present" is used when referring to a group of people.

How does the formality of "who were present" compare to its alternatives?

"Who were present" is generally neutral in tone. "Those in attendance" and "individuals present" are more formal, while "attendees" is more concise and commonly used.