they are named

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are named" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the names given to people, places, or things. Example: "The two new species discovered in the rainforest are named after famous botanists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Yes, they are named after who you think they are named after).

The New York Times

(Yes, they are named after who you think).

The New York Times

They are named after Paeon, physician to the Greek gods.

Independent

They are named Clark Fieldss is the candidate's married name.

The New York Times

They are named Prince William and Prince Henry.

The New York Times - Tech

They are named as two of the largest.

The Guardian

They are named for the section of the tax code under which they are established.

The New York Times

They are named for the upturned snout, which is used for digging.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are named for their triangular body cross section and rough-keeled (ridged) scales.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are named for the unpleasant odour of their large flowers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are named for the wolflike habit of chasing and pouncing upon prey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by sometimes using alternatives like "they are called" or "they go by" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "they are named by everyone" when the agent is irrelevant or obvious. Instead, simply state "they are named..." as the passive construction already implies an unnamed actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are named" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a name or designation has been given to a subject by an unspecified actor. This construction is frequently used to introduce the identity of something, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are named" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for identifying subjects by their names or designations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity about who or what is doing the naming. Consider using alternatives like "they are called" or "they go by" to add variety to your writing, and avoid unnecessary passive constructions. You can also find plenty of "related phrases" to make the content more valuable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are called

Replaces "named" with "called", offering a simpler and more direct alternative.

they are known as

Adds "known as" to specify that the name is recognized or commonly used.

they are referred to as

Highlights the act of referencing or mentioning something by a specific name.

they go by

Changes the verb from "are named" to a more informal "go by".

their names are

Shifts the focus to the names themselves, rather than the act of naming.

they're labeled

Substitutes "named" with "labeled", useful when referring to categories or classifications.

they have been designated

Emphasizes a formal or official assignment of a name.

they're identified as

Replaces naming with the act of identification.

they are styled

Modifies the designation with "styled", which implies a specific aesthetic or branding.

the moniker for them is

Introduces "moniker", a less formal substitute for "name".

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "they are named"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "they are designated", "they are referred to as", or "they have been designated" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "they are named" in a casual context?

In a casual context, you could use phrases such as "they are called" or "they go by" for a more relaxed tone. You could also use "they are known as".

How does the meaning of "they are named" change with different prepositions?

While "they are named" doesn't typically take prepositions, related phrases like "they are named after" indicate the origin or inspiration for the name, as in "They are named after Antoinette Perry".

Which is correct, "they are named" or "they were named"?

Both "they are named" and "they were named" are correct, but they have different tenses. "They are named" is present tense, implying the naming is current or ongoing. "They were named" is past tense, indicating the naming occurred in the past.