were completed vs was completed

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Were completed' is the past tense of the passive voice for plural subjects, while 'was completed' is the past tense of the passive voice for singular subjects. The choice between them depends on the subject of the sentence.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 1435 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is the past tense of the passive voice for plural subjects.

"were completed"

Use 'were completed' when referring to multiple subjects or objects that have been finished or done in the past.

Examples:

The reports were completed last week.
All the tasks were completed on time.
The projects were completed by different teams.
The forms were completed by the participants.
The repairs were completed by the maintenance crew.

Show examples from the web [+]

Four more papers were completed by November 1925.
Many of the IIIBs were completed as IIICs.
Renovations to the Eisenhower Theater were completed in 2008.
Approximately 3,000 units were completed from 1943 to 1945.
Both began construction during the Thirtieth Dynasty and were completed or enlarged by Ptolemaic kings.
The recording sessions for Ten were completed in May 1991.
A number of buildings were completed for the occasion.
A total of 1,436172Fs were completed.
All works were completed in less than 10 months.
The shops were completed and put into operation in May 1899.
In summer of 1909 the external finishes were completed, and the scaffolds removed.
The two wings of the building were completed in 1950.
The improvements, including the formidable defensive wall, were completed in 1847.
Many problems were encountered but the sewers were completed.
The buildings of the current campus were completed in 1905.
In 1927, major restoration works were completed under bishop Romuald Jałbrzykowski.
Prototype development, construction and testing were completed between November 1905 and June 1906.
Still, the majority of his works were completed in New York.
They were completed in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
Several new halls of residence were completed in 2004, 2008 and 2015.

Alternatives:

had been completed
had completed
had finished

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is the past tense of the passive voice for singular subjects.

"was completed"

Use 'was completed' when referring to a single subject or object that has been finished or done in the past.

Examples:

The project was completed yesterday.
The form was completed by the applicant.
The task was completed ahead of schedule.
The report was completed by the team leader.
The painting was completed by the artist.

Show examples from the web [+]

Massachusetts construction was completed from 1960s to 1970.
The so-called tower folly was completed in 1921.
Zeus was completed a month ago.
Clockwork Angels was completed following this tour.
A second cycle of paintings was completed with the help of his son Carlo.
The major part of the writing was completed in 927.
The measurement and demarcation work was completed in 1902.
The bridge building was completed January 2016.
The current station building was completed in 1996.
The new terminal was completed in 2009.
Full transposition of Directive 2009/33/EC was completed in November 2013.
The Ernst&Young study was completed on 24 February 2010.
The apartment is new and was completed recently.
All of these ended once the trial was completed, leaving Celine with no alternatives.
Construction of Russell was completed in February 1903.
Millbay's first new development, Cargo, was completed in 2010.
The church was completed in 1663 by Antonio Del Grande.
Construction was completed by the Kumagai Gumi in August 1973.
The conquest of La Palma was completed on 3 May 1493.
The ISO/IEC approval process was completed in November 1994.

Alternatives:

had been completed
had completed
had finished

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