are washed in a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are washed in a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing something that is being cleaned or purified in a specific manner or medium. Example: "The vegetables are washed in a mixture of water and vinegar to remove any pesticides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

If the sun is rising, they are washed in a surreal lemony light.

The New York Times

According to Islamic tradition, bodies are washed in a ritual that mimics the daily ablution Muslims perform before prayers.

The New York Times

Before the synthetic blood vessels can be implanted they are washed in a detergent to strip out all of the living cells.

The Guardian

The town scrub house, where clothes are washed in a run ning stream of cold water, is another center of activity.

The New York Times

When harvested sugar beets are off-loaded at the factory, they are washed in a flume to remove rocks and dirt and then fed by gravity through a hopper to the slicing machine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then the shells are washed in a chlorine solution to sanitize them before they are fed into a bank of crackers, where each nut is grabbed in a little vise and hit by a plunger to break the shell, at the rate of one nut a second.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

What could be on a hand that has not been washed in a decade?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These samples were washed in a surfactant solution and the oocysts were enumerated using immunomagnetic separation techniques.

Water Research

Hybridized embryos were washed in a formamide series and incubated with a secondary antibody overnight at 4°.

Nature

"To keep it clean," The Times reported, "the owner went swimming in it twice and at thirty-two days of wear it was washed in a home washing machine".

The New York Times

Bagged cut produce is washed in a chlorinated solution, but the term "triple washed," printed on the labels, does not mean the salad greens are completely safe.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are washed in a", ensure the substance used for washing is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The equipment are washed in a sterile solution before use."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are washed in a" is passive. Opt for active voice when possible for more direct and engaging writing. For instance, instead of "The dishes are washed in a dishwasher", consider "The dishwasher washes the dishes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are washed in a" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action being performed on a subject, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the washing action. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing cleaning processes, such as sugar beets being washed or bodies being ritually washed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are washed in a" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the process of cleaning or purifying something in a specific medium. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including science, news media, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the cleaning agent. Be mindful of the passive voice; consider active alternatives for more direct writing. Semantically related phrases include "are bathed in a" and "are rinsed in a". As Ludwig examples show, this phrase is used when something is being physically or ritually cleaned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are bathed in a

Emphasizes a more gentle or immersive experience, similar to being covered in light or a liquid.

are rinsed in a

Focuses on removing residue, highlighting a thorough cleaning process.

are purified in a

Highlights the removal of impurities or contaminants.

are cleansed in a

Implies a deeper purification, often with a spiritual or moral connotation.

are steeped in a

Suggests a prolonged soaking, implying absorption of qualities or flavors.

are immersed in a

Highlights complete submersion or involvement in a particular environment or substance.

are saturated in a

Indicates a state of being thoroughly soaked or filled to capacity.

are treated with a

Focuses on the application of a specific substance for a particular purpose, such as preservation or alteration.

are doused in a

Implies a sudden and forceful application of liquid.

are saturated with a

The object is completely soaked or filled with something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are washed in a" to sound more active?

To use a more active voice, you can rephrase "are washed in a" as something like "someone washes [them] in a". For example, "The linens are washed in a mild detergent" could become "We wash the linens in a mild detergent".

What's a more formal alternative to "are washed in a"?

In a more formal context, consider using "are cleansed in a" or "are purified in a" to convey a sense of thoroughness and precision.

What are some situations where "are washed in a" is most appropriate?

The phrase "are washed in a" works well when describing processes in scientific, industrial, or care-related contexts. For instance, it's suitable when explaining how lab equipment is cleaned, how produce is prepared, or how delicate items are handled.

Is there a difference between "are washed in a" and "are rinsed in a"?

Yes, "are washed in a" implies a more thorough cleaning process, often involving soap or detergent. "Are rinsed in a" suggests removing residue after washing or simply using clear water.