they were accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were accepted" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something was approved or accepted by a third party. For example, "The job applicants were accepted by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

When the cancer registration data met the quality criteria for completeness, comparability, and validity, they were accepted as qualified data for analysis.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

And they were accepted for their skill.

The New York Times - Sports

You know, they were accepted as commodities.

The New York Times

Soon afterward, they were accepted, and received e-mails with the address and their class schedules.

The New Yorker

They were accepted without demur, and the matter, to my astonished relief, was never raised again.

The New Yorker

Eventually, with the encouragement of Mr. Esslin and others, they were accepted as theatrical innovators.

The New York Times - Arts

Suskind tosses off contentious opinions about the economy as if they were accepted wisdom.

The New York Times - Books

Houellebecq submitted some poems for publication in Nouvelle Revue de Paris, and they were accepted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were accepted at nine different middle schools for the fall.

The New York Times

Finally, when he submitted his retirement papers, they were accepted without a word of regret from his superiors, he said.

The New York Times

They took their Cornish ways, skills, food, families and language all over the world, where they were accepted and celebrated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were accepted", ensure that the subject clearly refers to a plural entity. Mismatching the subject-verb agreement will result in a grammatical error.

Common error

Avoid using "they were accepted" when an active voice is more appropriate or direct. Passive voice can sometimes obscure who performed the action. If clarity is crucial, consider rephrasing the sentence to highlight the actor: "The committee accepted them",

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were accepted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a plural subject received approval or admission from an unspecified actor. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were accepted" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate passive approval or admission. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While suitable for a wide range of contexts, remember to consider whether active voice might provide greater clarity in certain situations. When rephrasing, alternatives like "they gained acceptance" or "they received approval" can offer nuanced variations while maintaining semantic similarity. Overall, "they were accepted" is a reliable and versatile phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they gained acceptance

Focuses on the process of achieving approval or recognition over time.

they received approval

Emphasizes the formal granting of permission or agreement.

they were admitted

Specifically refers to being allowed entry into a group, institution, or place.

they were welcomed

Highlights a positive and warm reception.

they found favor

Indicates that they were well-regarded or appreciated by someone in authority.

they were embraced

Suggests a strong and enthusiastic acceptance.

they were recognized

Focuses on being acknowledged for their merits or qualities.

they were validated

Emphasizes that their actions or beliefs were confirmed or justified.

they were incorporated

Implies being integrated or included as part of a larger whole.

they were included

Simply states they were part of something.

FAQs

How can I use "they were accepted" in a sentence?

Use "they were accepted" to show that a group or set of items received approval or admission. For example, "After a rigorous review, "they were accepted" into the program".

What's a formal alternative to "they were accepted"?

In formal contexts, you might use alternatives such as "they received approval" or "their application was approved" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more professional tone.

How does "they were accepted" differ from "they accepted"?

"They were accepted" indicates a passive construction where the subject received acceptance from someone else. "They accepted" is an active construction where the subject did the accepting.

What can I say instead of "they were accepted" to emphasize enthusiasm?

To emphasize enthusiasm, consider using phrases like "they were welcomed" or "they were embraced", which convey a more positive and warm reception compared to the neutral "they were accepted".