they are marked

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they are marked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has been labeled, identified, or distinguished in some way. For example: "The items in this box are marked with unique numbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead, they are marked I.C.R., for "intended contraband recipient".

The New York Times

They are marked only on the map, unknown even to the landowners whose properties they abut.

The New York Times

They are marked in the text with a shaded background and cute little camera icons.

The New York Times

They are marked by an admirable aristocratic dignity, realistic yet idealized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are marked with dimensions according to a system of mathematical ratio.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are marked as the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, prescription painkillers or packaged in colorful candy wrappers.

The Guardian

Capote's feelings about Arvin vary, though they are marked by a consistent sense of his old mentor's fatal "moderation".

The New Yorker

Typically, they are marked by an attention to the set or space of all examples of a particular kind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The precautionary principle suggests that we should be wary of personal products like fragrances unless they are marked phthalate-free.

The New York Times

But items that do not meet European norms will still be allowed onto the market provided they are marked as being substandard or intended for cooking or processing.

The New York Times

They are figures who have left madness behind them, and this is why they are marked by such a consistently heartrending, inhuman superficiality.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, specify the method of marking (e.g. "they are marked with a fluorescent dye") to provide necessary detail.

Common error

Be careful when using this phrase in retail contexts. While "they are marked" usually refers to identification, "they are marked down" specifically refers to price reductions. If you only mean identification, avoid adding the word 'down' to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are marked" functions as a passive voice construction. It consists of the third-person plural pronoun "they", the auxiliary verb "are" and the past participle "marked". According to Ludwig AI, this structure is commonly used to shift focus onto the objects receiving the action rather than the person performing it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Professional

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "they are marked" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used extensively across high-authority sources. Ludwig AI shows that it is particularly prevalent in scientific and journalistic writing to denote classification, physical labeling or symbolic status. Whether describing biological samples marked by proteins or retail items marked for clearance, the phrase provides a clear and objective way to indicate that a subject has been identified. For writers seeking more specific nuances, alternatives like "they are labeled" or "they are flagged" can be used depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are labeled

Suggests the attachment of a physical or descriptive tag

they are identified

Focuses on the process of recognition or classification

they are flagged

Implies drawing specific attention to items for review or alert

they are designated

More formal, suggesting an official assignment of status

they are tagged

Common in digital or informal contexts for categorization

they are indicated

Suggests pointing out or showing something clearly

they are characterized

Focuses on inherent traits rather than external labels

they are distinguished

Emphasizes the features that set them apart from others

they are highlighted

Focuses on visual emphasis or increased prominence

they are noted

Suggests they have been observed or mentioned in a specific way

FAQs

How to use "they are marked" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe identification, such as: "The samples are ready once "they are marked" with the appropriate serial numbers."

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

Depending on the context, you can use "they are labeled", "they are identified" or "they are flagged".

Is it better to use "they are marked" or "they're marked"?

Use "they are marked" for formal writing, academic papers and technical reports. Use the contraction "they're marked" for informal speech or casual writing.

What's the difference between "they are marked" and "they are noted"?

""they are marked"" usually implies a physical or digital signifier has been applied, while "they are noted" simply means they have been observed or recorded.