they employed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they employed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of hiring or utilizing someone or something for a specific purpose or task. Example: "In order to improve productivity, they employed a new software system to streamline their operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They employed me.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They employed Hindu cooks.

The New York Times

Have they employed apprentices before?

The Guardian

This August they employed 19,400.

The Economist

Whom would Cameron prefer they employed?

The Guardian - Opinion

They employed an army of people to help them".

The New Yorker

I asked the manager if they employed local women.

The Guardian - Travel

Yes, they employed hundreds of thousands, and that was great.

The New York Times

They employed nutritionists, chiropractors, psychologists and yoga and pilates instructors.

The New York Times - Magazine

They employed over 100 men, from almost every village household.

The Economist

They employed chance procedures, but not with the Zen rigor that Cage practiced.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "They employed" is a versatile phrase, but alternatives like "they utilized" or "they implemented" may be more precise depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "they employed" when simpler verbs like "used" or "hired" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they employed" typically functions as a verb phrase, where "they" is the subject and "employed" is the verb. This indicates an action taken by a group of people, referring to their use of a particular resource, strategy, or person. Ludwig AI provides multiple examples of such usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they employed" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of utilizing resources, strategies, or people. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and suitable for written English. Its usage is most common in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal tone. While effective, be mindful of overusing it in simple contexts where more direct verbs would suffice. Consider alternatives like "they utilized", "they used", or "they hired" to add variety and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they utilized

Replaces 'employed' with 'utilized', suggesting a practical and efficient use of something.

they made use of

Emphasizes the act of using something available for a specific purpose.

they engaged

Suggests involvement or participation, often implying a more active role.

they implemented

Focuses on putting a plan or system into effect.

they adopted

Indicates choosing and embracing a particular method or approach.

they harnessed

Implies controlling and using natural resources, especially to produce energy.

they commissioned

Suggests formally ordering or requesting something, such as a piece of work.

they recruited

Specifically refers to enlisting people for a purpose, often for a job.

they contracted

Focuses on making a formal agreement for services.

they availed themselves of

A more formal way of saying they took advantage of or used something.

FAQs

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

You can use "they employed" to describe the act of hiring someone for a job or utilizing a method or resource. For instance, "They employed a new marketing strategy" or "They employed several new workers last quarter".

What are some alternatives to "they employed"?

Alternatives include "they utilized", "they used", "they hired", or "they recruited", depending on the context.

Is "they employed" formal or informal?

"They employed" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "they used" or "they hired" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "they employed" and "they utilized"?

While both phrases are similar, "they employed" often implies using something that is standard or readily available, whereas "they utilized" suggests making effective use of something, often in a resourceful way.