are sent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are sent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about an action that has already been completed in the past. For example: Invitations to the event were sent out last week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Incumbents are sent home.

The New York Times

Ordinary criminals are sent elsewhere.

The New York Times

No books are sent.

The Guardian - Books

Secret communications are sent.

The Guardian - Books

Repeat offenders are sent to prison.

The Economist

"These things are sent to test us.

Independent

Many flares are sent up in "Chavs".

The New York Times - Books

Those who refuse are sent to prison.

The New Yorker

Very few are sent to jail.

The Economist

The data are sent in real time.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association

Measurement results are sent via wireless module.

Procedia Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are sent" to describe a passive action where the sender is less important than the receiver or the object being sent. For instance, "Invitations are sent to all members" emphasizes the recipients rather than who sent them.

Common error

Avoid using "is sent" when referring to multiple items. "Is sent" is singular; "are sent" is plural. For example, it's incorrect to say "The emails is sent daily" when you mean multiple emails.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are sent" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of being dispatched or transmitted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Many examples show its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are sent" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive voice construction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its frequent appearance in news, science, and academic contexts highlights its versatility. Remember to use "are sent" for plural subjects and consider alternatives like "are dispatched" or "are transmitted" for nuanced meanings. Avoid the common error of using singular verbs with plural subjects and take note of the past tense form "were sent" for past actions. From academic reports to daily news updates, mastering the usage of "are sent" will improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are dispatched

Replaces "sent" with "dispatched", emphasizing the act of being sent off quickly or efficiently.

are transmitted

Substitutes "sent" with "transmitted", highlighting the conveyance of something, especially data or signals.

are forwarded

Replaces "sent" with "forwarded", indicating the redirection of something to a new destination.

are conveyed

Substitutes "sent" with "conveyed", suggesting the communication or transportation of something.

are routed

Replaces "sent" with "routed", focusing on the path or direction through which something is sent.

are shipped

Substitutes "sent" with "shipped", emphasizing the transportation of goods or items.

are mailed

Replaces "sent" with "mailed", specifically indicating the use of postal services for delivery.

are broadcast

Substitutes "sent" with "broadcast", highlighting the wide dissemination of information or signals.

are issued

Replaces "sent" with "issued", suggesting the formal distribution or release of something.

are directed

Substitutes "sent" with "directed", focusing on the specific target or recipient of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "are sent" in a sentence?

Use "are sent" to indicate that multiple items or messages are dispatched. For example, "The reports are sent every Friday", or "Packages are sent via express delivery".

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

"Are sent" indicates a present or ongoing action, whereas "were sent" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "Emails are sent daily" (present) versus "Emails "were sent" last week" (past).

What can I say instead of "are sent"?

You can use alternatives such as "are dispatched", "are transmitted", or "are forwarded" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is sent" instead of "are sent"?

No, "is sent" is for singular subjects, while "are sent" is for plural subjects. For instance, "A letter is sent" (singular) is correct, but "Letters "are sent"" (plural) is needed when referring to multiple letters.