they selected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they selected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a choice made by a group of people or individuals in various contexts, such as decision-making or voting. Example: "After much deliberation, they selected the best candidate for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They did selections, they selected in the camps.

University of California, Berkeley

Then they selected the leads.

The Guardian - Film

They selected me, it's not a war.

Independent

They selected Shurbaji's shirt, which was blue-and-white-striped.

The New Yorker

What are some of the commercials they selected?

The New York Times

So they selected Nicks and said they were happy.

The New York Times - Sports

Or are they selected from unsolicited, cold submissions?

The New Yorker

Who is being used and how are they selected?

The Guardian

Who are its leaders, and how are they selected?

The New York Times

The stocks they selected are an eclectic lot.

The New York Times

Together, they selected the cartoons for "Happily Ever After".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context makes it clear who "they" refers to, especially if it wasn't explicitly stated earlier in the text. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they selected" when the identity of "they" is unclear or distant from its antecedent. Always make sure the pronoun's reference is immediately obvious to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they selected" functions as a verb phrase, with "they" acting as the subject and "selected" as the verb. It indicates an action of choosing or picking something from a set of options. Ludwig confirms this is a standard and acceptable construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they selected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating a choice made by a group. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans diverse contexts from news and media to scientific publications. While versatile, clarity regarding the identity of "they" is paramount. Consider alternatives like "they chose" or "they picked" to avoid repetition or better suit the tone. Remember to use "they selected" with precision to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they chose

Direct synonym, replacing "selected" with a more common verb.

they picked

Similar to "chose", implying a selection from a group.

they opted for

Indicates a preference or decision in favor of something.

they decided on

Focuses on the decision-making aspect leading to the selection.

they determined

Highlights the process of arriving at a choice.

they designated

Emphasizes the act of officially choosing or assigning.

they appointed

Suggests a formal selection, often for a role or position.

they identified

Focuses on recognizing and singling out something or someone.

they favored

Implies a preference that led to the selection.

they went with

Informal way of saying they chose something.

FAQs

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

You can use "they selected" to indicate a choice made by a group, such as "After careful consideration, they selected the most qualified candidate."

What are some alternatives to "they selected"?

Some alternatives include "they chose", "they picked", or "they opted for", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they were selected" instead of "they selected"?

Yes, but the meaning changes. "They selected" means a group actively made a choice. "They were selected" implies they were chosen by someone else.

What's the difference between "they selected" and "they decided"?

"They selected" implies a choice from a range of options, while "they decided" simply means they came to a conclusion or resolution. For example, "they selected a new leader" versus "they decided to change the policy".