they are retrieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are retrieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of obtaining or recovering information, data, or items. Example: "Once the files are saved, they are retrieved from the server for further processing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Instantly they are retrieved and displayed on the nearest video screen.

The New York Times

Once they are retrieved, the information they contain is transferred to a computer.

The New Yorker

The wrappers are stamped with a date one week hence, at which point they are retrieved from stores and destroyed.

The New Yorker

After skiers drop into an adjacent 800 acres called Powder Country, on the ski area's backside, they are retrieved by an old school bus.

The New York Times - Travel

The therapy takes advantage of the discovery that human memories can be modified and made less frightening if they are manipulated soon after they are retrieved.

The Guardian

When children try to escape, they are retrieved by Moodoo (David Gulpilil), an experienced black tracker, and punished with solitary confinement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They need more night vision goggles and even more body bags for the number of migrants they are retrieving from the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

BBC

Devils have often been victims of roadkill when they are retrieving other roadkill.

Wikipedia

But they were retrieved and displayed as part of a touring exhibit of Russian fossils last year.

The New York Times

They were retrieved by a United Nations mission that was checking the effects of depleted uranium weapons.

The New York Times

Only after they were retrieved did workers learn how the vent could be opened manually.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "obtained", "recovered", or "collected" if the nuance of returning something isn't essential to your meaning.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the focus should be on the objects being retrieved rather than the actor performing the retrieval. For example, instead of "someone retrieves them", use "they are retrieved" to maintain the focus on the objects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are retrieved" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that a group of items or pieces of information are the recipients of the action of retrieval. This means that something or someone is performing the action of retrieving those items. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are retrieved" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction that describes the act of obtaining or recovering items or information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's common in scientific, news, and wiki contexts and serves to emphasize the action performed on the items rather than the actor. When writing, ensure you use it when the focus is on the items being retrieved and consider using synonyms like "they are obtained" or "they are recovered" if the nuance of returning something isn't crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are recovered

Specifically indicates the regaining of something lost or taken.

they are obtained

Focuses on the act of getting something, similar to retrieving but without the implication of recovering something previously lost or stored.

they are regained

Similar to 'recovered' but emphasizes the restoration of something to a previous state.

they are acquired

Emphasizes the process of gaining possession of something, often through effort or purchase.

they are fetched

An informal way to say something is brought back from where it was.

they are reclaimed

Implies taking something back that was previously lost or abandoned, often with effort.

they are collected

Highlights the gathering of multiple items together.

they are gathered

Focuses on assembling or collecting things together, similar to 'collected' but can apply to abstract concepts.

they are extracted

Suggests the removal of something from a larger source.

they are accessed

Focuses on the ability to reach or use something, especially data or information.

FAQs

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

Use "they are retrieved" to describe a process where items or information are obtained after being stored or lost. For example, "Once the data is processed, they are retrieved for analysis."

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

You can use alternatives like "they are obtained", "they are recovered", or "they are collected" depending on the context.

When should I use "they are retrieved" versus "they are obtained"?

"They are retrieved" implies something was previously stored or lost and is now being brought back. "They are obtained" simply means something is acquired, without the implication of prior storage or loss.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when describing how items are retrieved?

Using the passive voice, as in "they are retrieved", is preferable when the action is more important than the actor. If who or what is doing the retrieving is important, use the active voice.