they denounced

USAGE SUMMARY

"they denounced" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a group of people publicly speaking out and condemning something or someone. Example: During the protest, the crowd became increasingly agitated as they denounced the government for their failure to address the pressing issue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They denounced the government.

The New York Times

They denounced the fighters on social media.

The New York Times

Were they denounced and punished in some way?

The Guardian - Books

They denounced VAT increases; now they are voting for them.

The Guardian

She knelt before the crowds as they denounced her.

The Guardian

Some of them carried leaves, symbolizing peace, and chanted that they denounced Gbagbo's illegitimate rule.

The New Yorker

They denounced the board members as sexist, racist, cowardly, incompetent and heartless.

The New York Times

They denounced the paper, referring to its as the "Mail and Garbage".

The Guardian

They denounced the plan, claiming that the turnpike had scaled back on the project.

The New York Times

They denounced Mr. Trump's words but did not reverse their endorsements.

The New York Times

They denounced the proposed changes as overreaching in a joint letter on Wednesday to the committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear who "they" refers to and what they are denouncing for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "they denounced" in casual or informal settings. It's a strong term best reserved for formal statements or serious criticisms. Consider using "they criticized" or "they spoke out against" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they denounced" functions as a declarative statement where "they" acts as the subject and "denounced" is the verb expressing a strong form of disapproval or condemnation. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and is used to refer to a group of people publicly speaking out and condemning something or someone. Examples from Ludwig show its use in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they denounced" is a grammatically sound phrase employed to express public condemnation or strong disapproval, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral to formal register. To enhance writing, use this phrase when conveying a significant level of disapproval. However, avoid it in casual settings, opting for milder alternatives like "they criticized". Remember, the phrase always carries a negative connotation. With an expert rating of 4.5, its proper usage ensures clarity and impact in your writing, in alignment with authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they condemned

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning to "denounced".

they condemned strongly

Adds an adverb to emphasize the condemnation.

they decried

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly different tone.

they spoke out against

Indicates public opposition or condemnation.

they criticized

Expresses disapproval, but is less strong than "denounced".

they censured

Uses a more formal term indicating official disapproval.

they expressed disapproval of

Uses a more formal and verbose construction.

they reproached

Implies criticism and disappointment.

they attacked verbally

Focuses on the verbal assault aspect of denouncing.

they disapproved of

A more general term for not liking or agreeing with something.

FAQs

How can I use "they denounced" in a sentence?

The phrase "they denounced" is typically used to describe a group of people publicly condemning something. For example, "They denounced the new policy as unfair."

What's a less formal alternative to "they denounced"?

For less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "they criticized", "they opposed", or "they spoke out against".

What's the difference between "they denounced" and "they criticized"?

"They denounced" implies a stronger, more public, and formal condemnation than "they criticized", which can be a milder expression of disapproval.

Is "they denounced" always negative?

Yes, "they denounced" always carries a negative connotation, indicating strong disapproval or condemnation of something or someone.