mice were purchased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mice were purchased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the acquisition of mice, such as in scientific research or pet ownership. Example: "For the experiment, a total of ten mice were purchased from the laboratory supply company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ICR mice were purchased from Harlan laboratories.

Nature

Female C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice were purchased from Envigo (Hillcrest, UK).

Nature

C57BL/6 mice were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory.

Nature

Balb/c female mice were purchased from Charles River.

Nature

Balb cJ mice were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory.

Nature

C57 and BALB/c mice were purchased from Charles River.

Nature

C57BL/6J mice were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory.

Nature

C57Bl6/J mice were purchased from Charles River.

Nature

C57BL/6 mice were purchased from CLEA Japan.

Nature

B6.129-Prdm1tm1Clme/J (Prdm1fl/fl) mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME) and CD4Cre mice were purchased from Taconic (Hudson, NY).

Nature

Actin-eGFP and C57BL/6J mice were purchased from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, ME, USA).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental procedures, clearly state the source and strain of the mice using specific nomenclature (e.g., "C57BL/6 mice were purchased from Jackson Laboratory") to ensure reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid stating simply "mice were purchased" without specifying the strain or source. Lack of detail can hinder reproducibility and credibility in scientific writing. For example, instead of 'mice were purchased', write 'C57BL/6J mice were purchased from Charles River Laboratories'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mice were purchased" primarily functions as a statement of fact within the methods section of research papers. It indicates how the experimental subjects were acquired. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and frequently used. This phrase shows the action of acquiring laboratory animals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mice were purchased" is a common and grammatically correct statement, predominantly used in scientific and academic writing to describe the acquisition of experimental animals. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct in English. It is crucial to provide specific details about the source and strain of the mice to ensure the reproducibility of research findings. Alternative phrases like "mice were acquired" or "mice were obtained" can be used, but maintaining clarity and specificity remains paramount. Omitting details about the mouse strain can be a common error, hindering the credibility and replicability of the study. Therefore, remember to be as specific as possible with mouse strain nomenclature and supplier when using this phrase in a scientific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mice were acquired

Replaces "purchased" with "acquired", maintaining the meaning of obtaining the mice but with a slightly more formal tone.

mice were obtained

Substitutes "purchased" with "obtained", indicating the mice were received or gained, possibly without direct payment.

mice were bought

Uses the more common synonym "bought" for "purchased", making the phrase slightly less formal.

mice were procured

Replaces "purchased" with "procured", suggesting a more formal or systematic acquisition process.

the research animals were acquired

Adds "research" to specify the type of animals and uses "acquired" as a synonym for "purchased".

the laboratory animals were purchased

Adds specificity by referring to "laboratory animals" instead of just "mice", broadening the scope while maintaining the core meaning.

the mice were sourced

Replaces the active verb "were purchased" with the passive verb "were sourced", still speaking of acquisition.

the specified mice were ordered

Changes "purchased" to "ordered", focusing on the action of placing an order to get the specified mice.

the mice came from a vendor

Shifts the focus to the source of the mice rather than the act of purchasing, implying acquisition through a supplier.

the animals were bought for the experiment

Emphasizes the purpose of the purchase by adding "for the experiment", providing more context.

FAQs

What does it mean when a study says "mice were purchased"?

It typically means that the mice used in the study were obtained from a commercial vendor or laboratory animal supplier through a transaction involving payment. The specific vendor and strain of mice should ideally be specified for reproducibility.

What are some alternatives to saying "mice were purchased"?

You can use alternatives like "mice were acquired", "mice were obtained", or "mice were procured" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it necessary to specify the source of the mice when reporting research methods?

Yes, specifying the source (e.g., Jackson Laboratory, Charles River) and strain of mice is crucial for ensuring the reproducibility and validity of research findings. This allows other researchers to obtain genetically identical mice for comparative studies.

Why is the strain of mice important in scientific research?

Different strains of mice have distinct genetic backgrounds that can influence their physiological and behavioral responses. Specifying the strain helps control for these variables and allows for more accurate interpretation of experimental results. Not specifying strain can introduce unwanted variability in results.