mice were killed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mice were killed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing events or actions involving the death of mice, often in scientific, educational, or narrative settings. Example: "In the experiment, a total of 50 mice were killed to study the effects of the new drug."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then, these mice were killed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

At this time, two mice were killed.

Hearing Research

Then, the mice were killed.

Blood Cancer Journal

Fourteen days later the mice were killed.

British Journal of Cancer

After 14 days, mice were killed.

British Journal of Cancer

All mice were killed by cervical dislocation.

EMBO Journal

The mice were killed at day 34.

Cell Death and Disease

On day 90, mice were killed.

Carcinogenesis

The mice were killed by CO2 asphyxiation.

BMC Genomics

After 4-week treatment, mice were killed.

British Journal of Cancer

After 5 min, the mice were killed.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, consider using more precise and ethically neutral terms such as "euthanized" or "sacrificed" instead of "killed".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "mice were killed" in contexts where it might sound unnecessarily harsh or graphic. Opt for gentler terms like "passed away" or "were lost" in narrative or less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mice were killed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating an action performed upon the subject ("mice"). Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in scientific literature, where such passive constructions are common to maintain objectivity. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing experimental procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mice were killed" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction, predominantly used in scientific literature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to report a fact or describe a procedure objectively. While acceptable, it's often advisable to use more precise and ethically neutral terms like "euthanized" or "sacrificed" in formal writing. When used in non-scientific contexts, consider alternative phrasings to avoid sounding unnecessarily harsh.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mice were euthanized

Replaces "killed" with a more clinical and ethically neutral term, commonly used in scientific writing.

mice were sacrificed

Similar to "euthanized", but implies a more specific, often experimental, context.

mice were sacrificed for analysis

Adds the purpose for which the mice were killed, providing more context.

mice were terminated

A more formal and less emotionally charged way to say "killed".

the mice underwent euthanasia

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining a formal tone.

the mice were put down

A more general term for ending the life of an animal, less common in scientific writing.

lethal injection was administered to the mice

Specifies the method of killing, adding detail.

the study involved the killing of mice

Shifts the focus to the study itself, rather than the action performed on the mice.

mice met their demise

A more metaphorical and less direct way of saying "died" or "were killed".

mice were culled

Implies selection, and may suggest killing to control a population.

FAQs

What is a more formal alternative to "mice were killed"?

In scientific or formal writing, consider using alternatives like "mice were euthanized" or "mice were sacrificed" which are more neutral and precise.

Is it appropriate to use "mice were killed" in non-scientific writing?

While grammatically correct, "mice were killed" might sound stark in general writing. Depending on the context, phrases like "mice were put down" or rephrasing to focus on the study's purpose could be more suitable.

What is the difference between "mice were killed" and "mice were sacrificed"?

"Mice were killed" is a general statement, while "mice were sacrificed" implies that the killing was done for a specific purpose, typically in a scientific or experimental context. The term "sacrifice" also carries a connotation of offering for a greater cause.

How can I avoid using passive voice when describing that mice were killed?

You can rephrase the sentence to use active voice, such as "Researchers killed the mice" or "The experiment required the killing of mice". However, passive voice is often preferred in scientific writing to maintain objectivity.