They found that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They found that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reporting results or conclusions from research, studies, or observations. Example: "They found that regular exercise significantly improves mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They found that fast flux attacks pose the greatest threat.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

They found that time to ejaculation was significantly less.

BioMed Research International

They found that:1.

The Economist

They found that balance Sunday.

The New York Times

They found that all three factors mattered.

The Economist

They found that C.E.O.

The New York Times

They found that place.

The Guardian

They found that 79% were white.

The Guardian - Books

They found that it didn't help.

The New Yorker

They found that it does.

Forbes

They found that.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "They found that", ensure the pronoun 'they' clearly refers to a specific group or entity mentioned earlier in your text to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid replacing active constructions with passive forms like "It was found that" too frequently. While grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound less direct and engaging. Opt for "They found that" to maintain clarity and a more active voice when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "They found that" serves as a reporting clause, introducing a statement of discovery, conclusion, or result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically correct way to convey findings. Examples show its broad applicability across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "They found that" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase widely used to report findings and conclusions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by referencing a specific group or entity, and consider alternatives like "They discovered that" or "They determined that" for subtle variations in meaning. While "They found that" is a common phrase, overuse of passive constructions should be avoided to maintain a direct and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They discovered that

This alternative emphasizes the act of uncovering something previously unknown.

They determined that

This suggests a more conclusive or definitive finding, often after investigation.

They ascertained that

This implies a careful and thorough investigation leading to a confirmed conclusion.

They concluded that

This indicates that a conclusion has been reached after considering all the evidence.

Their findings indicated that

This rephrases the sentence to focus on the findings themselves as indicators.

The study revealed that

This alternative explicitly mentions a study as the source of the findings.

Research showed that

This highlights the research aspect and its contribution to the findings.

It was found that

This uses a passive voice to emphasize the discovery rather than the discoverers.

The analysis indicated that

This specifies "analysis" as the method that led to the finding, adding a layer of detail.

The results suggested that

This expresses a degree of uncertainty, implying that the results hint at but do not definitively prove something.

FAQs

How can I use "They found that" in a sentence?

Use "They found that" to introduce a discovery, conclusion, or result obtained by a specific group. For example, "Researchers studied the effects of exercise, and "they found that" regular physical activity improves mental health."

What can I say instead of "They found that"?

You can use alternatives such as "They discovered that", "They determined that", or "They concluded that" depending on the context. For subtle variations in meaning, consider "The study revealed that" or "Research showed that".

Is it better to use "They found that" or "It was found that"?

Using "They found that" is often preferable because it's more direct and active. "It was found that" is passive and can sometimes make the writing less engaging. Use "They found that" when you want to emphasize the actors involved in the discovery.

What's the difference between "They found that" and "They suggested that"?

"They found that" implies a more definitive conclusion based on evidence, while "They suggested that" indicates a hypothesis or possibility that requires further investigation. The choice depends on the certainty of the findings. For example, "They found that exercise reduces stress" versus "They suggested that a new therapy might improve sleep quality".