they are found

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are found" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
Example: My friends and I have been searching for hours but they are found nowhere.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are found in two main forms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are found worldwide in warm regions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Usually, they are found out and punished.

The Economist

Now they are found across the country.

The Guardian

"If they are found, they will face suspension of operations".

The New York Times

Some cancers are curable, no matter when they are found.

The New York Times

Mr. Goldsworthy uses autumn leaves as they are found.

The New York Times

They are found also at convenience stores and petrol stations.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are found under the entry for "recipes".

The New York Times - Books

(They are found in Germany, Italy, Japan and other countries).

The New York Times

And until they are found, Leppard will not rest easy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are found" in contexts where you want to emphasize the passive discovery or existence of something, rather than the active search for it.

Common error

Avoid using "they are found" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "After searching, they are found by the team", try "The team found them after searching."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they are found" is to express a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) is the recipient of the action (found). Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing the location, discovery, or existence of entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are found" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to indicate the discovery, location, or existence of a subject, most frequently appearing in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. When writing, consider whether an active voice construction might be clearer or more direct. Alternatives such as "they exist" or "they are located" may offer suitable substitutes depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are discovered

This alternative highlights the act of discovery, emphasizing the process of finding.

they exist

This alternative focuses on the fact of existence, removing the passive implication of being discovered.

they are located

This alternative emphasizes the physical location of something.

they are present

This simply states that something is in a particular place or situation.

they can be located

This suggests the possibility of finding or locating the subject.

they have been identified

This emphasizes the process of recognition and identification of something.

they are detected

This alternative is used when something is found through specific methods of detection.

they occur

This emphasizes the happening or presence of something, often in a natural or spontaneous way.

their whereabouts are known

This focuses specifically on knowing the location or position of something.

they are available

This suggests that something is accessible or obtainable.

FAQs

How can I use "they are found" in a sentence?

"They are found" is used to describe the discovery or location of something. For example, "The missing keys were found in the drawer" or "These minerals are found in the mountains".

What can I say instead of "they are found"?

You can use alternatives like "they exist", "they are located", or "they are discovered" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "they are found"?

While "they are found" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "They are found by researchers", you could say "Researchers found them".

How does the context affect the meaning of "they are found"?

The context determines whether the phrase refers to a physical location, a discovery, or a state of being. For instance, "They are found in the forest" indicates location, while "They are found to be effective" suggests a discovery or realization.