they affirmed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they affirmed that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has confirmed or stated something as true or valid. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, they affirmed that the findings were accurate and reliable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If they affirmed that he still believed climate change to be fake, they would expose him to even more criticism at home and abroad and complicate the lives of those advisers who accept the broad scientific consensus.

The New York Times

"There was a meeting of rabbis in Migron the other day, and they affirmed that no prime minister has the right to hand over a piece of the land of Israel".

The New York Times

They affirmed that, when using Facebook data, recommendation results are at least equally as accurate as results obtained from user ratings, but they did not address about educational recommendation.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Like Flying Lotus and the Brainfeeder crew, they affirmed that the best environment to create music is within a collective.

Vice

They affirmed that the body does die, but sought consolation in a disembodied soul that somehow continues.

Huffington Post

Hearing those words was crushing; they affirmed that something I had worked so hard to reintegrate in my life was slipping through my fingers yet again.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

By saying, "Go green because you'll make more profit," they affirm that profit is the right motive.

The Guardian

Yet they affirm that art appreciation can nonetheless show some of what is required in an adequate account of nature appreciation.

SEP

"And that's why I think the Tea Party movement is no longer... going to be able to claim the mantle of the founding fathers unless they affirm that morality and religion are indispensible supports of political prosperity," he predicted.

Huffington Post

"The fact that there is now a statue of Denmark Vesey means they affirm that resistance.

The New Yorker

As oral historians listen to their narrators, they affirm that their stories matter.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "they affirmed that" can lend a sense of authority, particularly when referencing expert opinions or official statements. Use it to highlight credible confirmation.

Common error

Avoid using "they affirmed that" when the referent of "they" is unclear or ambiguous. Always ensure that the reader can easily identify who is doing the affirming to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they affirmed that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement that has been confirmed or declared by a group of people. This phrase typically connects to a subordinate clause that contains the specific information being affirmed. Ludwig shows this usage across diverse fields, from scientific studies to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they affirmed that" serves to introduce a statement that has been declared or confirmed by a group. Grammatically sound and commonly used, Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase is most frequently encountered in news, scientific, and academic writing, and its primary function is to lend authority to a claim. Alternatives like "they confirmed that" or "they stated that" offer similar meanings with varying levels of emphasis. Remember to use "they affirmed that" when you want to express endorsement in a clear and credible way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they asserted that

Replaces "affirmed" with "asserted", implying a strong declaration.

they confirmed that

Substitutes "affirmed" with "confirmed", suggesting verification of something already known.

they declared that

Uses "declared" instead of "affirmed", indicating a formal announcement.

they stated that

Replaces "affirmed" with the more neutral term "stated", implying a simple declaration.

they maintained that

Uses "maintained" instead of "affirmed", suggesting a continued assertion despite possible opposition.

they testified that

Replaces "affirmed" with "testified", implying a declaration under oath or in a formal setting.

they avowed that

Substitutes "affirmed" with "avowed", indicating a solemn or emphatic declaration.

they professed that

Uses "professed" instead of "affirmed", suggesting a public declaration of belief.

they acknowledged that

Replaces "affirmed" with "acknowledged", implying recognition of a fact or situation.

they conceded that

Substitutes "affirmed" with "conceded", suggesting an admission, often reluctant, that something is true.

FAQs

How can I use "they affirmed that" in a sentence?

Use "they affirmed that" to indicate that a group or entity has confirmed the truth or validity of a statement. For example, "The scientists "they affirmed that" the data supported their hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "they affirmed that"?

You can use alternatives such as "they confirmed that", "they stated that", or "they declared that" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "they affirmed that" or "they confirmed that"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "They confirmed that" implies verification of something already known, while "they affirmed that" suggests a stronger, more declarative statement. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "they affirmed that" and "they suggested that"?

"They affirmed that" indicates a confirmation or declaration, whereas "they suggested that" indicates a proposal or recommendation. Affirming is a stronger statement than suggesting.