they objected that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they objected that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a statement or argument that someone disagrees with or opposes. Example: "During the meeting, they objected that the proposed changes would negatively impact employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

They objected that senior administrators had not been properly consulted, and that, in the case of the third patient, an untested therapy had been given at the time of diagnosis, in violation of accepted practice.

The New Yorker

They objected that he had taken money for the concert.

The Guardian

They objected that an executive order, unlike a law, could not mandate that Congress vote on the recommendations quickly and without amendments.

The New York Times

And then came the first policy dispute with the holdover members of the old ruling party, known as the R.C.D.: they objected that the new minister of youth and sports, the dissident blogger Slim Amamou, was not wearing a tie.

The New York Times

They objected that his actions were an abuse of his position, that he was ignorant and petulant, and that, while he was only too happy to launch attacks on others, he resolutely refused to engage in any kind of debate himself.

The Guardian - Arts

"They objected that there was not enough grass for both their cattle and ours.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

They object that even as the film purports to argue for tolerance of the grossly overweight, it makes endless fun of fat people and perpetuates cruel stereotypes.

The New York Times - Style

If they object, that means they are already planning to be late, and want you to commit to wait on them.

WikiHow

They object that some high school science fairs continue to honor students who inflict pain.

The New York Times - Science

Second, they object that even when "doing good" is in the company's best interest, acts motivated by such self-interest really can't be ethical.

Harvard Business Review

In the end, their concerns echo the cultural understanding that life should have a purpose and meaning, and they object that natural scientists do not seem to concern themselves with this important issue.

Basics in Human Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they objected that", ensure that the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific group or entity to avoid ambiguity. Provide context to clarify who is objecting and why.

Common error

Avoid vague pronoun references. Ensure it's clear who "they" are by explicitly stating their role or affiliation, as in "the scientists objected that..." or "the committee objected that...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they objected that" functions as a reporting clause, used to introduce a statement expressing disagreement, opposition, or disapproval. This is validated by Ludwig AI, and observed in examples, where the phrase introduces a reason for disagreeing with a proposal or action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they objected that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a statement of disagreement or opposition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and analysis of example sentences reveals its common use in news and media, with occasional occurrences in scientific and business contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the pronoun "they" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "they argued that" or "they protested that" can be used to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis. Overall, "they objected that" is a useful phrase for accurately reporting opposition within various formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they protested that

Replaces "objected" with "protested", suggesting a stronger expression of disapproval.

they argued that

Substitutes "objected" with "argued", indicating a reasoned disagreement.

they complained that

Uses "complained" instead of "objected", implying dissatisfaction.

they countered that

Replaces "objected" with "countered", suggesting a direct opposition to a previous statement.

they opposed the idea that

Restructures the sentence to focus on opposing an idea.

they expressed concerns that

Uses "expressed concerns" to convey worry about a particular outcome or situation.

their objection was that

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the objection itself.

they dissented because

Uses "dissented" to indicate a formal disagreement or difference of opinion.

they took exception to

Expresses disagreement more directly and forcefully.

they voiced their opposition by saying

Highlights the act of voicing opposition with specific wording.

FAQs

How can I use "they objected that" in a sentence?

Use "they objected that" to introduce a reason or explanation for someone's disagreement or opposition to something. For example, "The neighbors objected that the construction noise was excessive."

What are some alternatives to saying "they objected that"?

You can use alternatives like "they protested that", "they argued that", or "they complained that" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "they objected to" or "they objected that"?

"They objected to" is typically followed by a noun or gerund (e.g., "they objected to the proposal"), while "they objected that" is followed by a clause (e.g., "they objected that the proposal was too expensive"). Both are grammatically correct but have slightly different usages.

What's the difference between "they objected that" and "they pointed out that"?

"They objected that" expresses disagreement or opposition, while "they pointed out that" introduces a fact or observation. The former implies disapproval, whereas the latter is more neutral. For example, "they objected that the plan was unethical" versus "they pointed out that the plan was already in motion".