they were allocated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were allocated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the distribution or assignment of resources, tasks, or responsibilities to individuals or groups. Example: "After the meeting, it was decided that they were allocated specific roles for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All participants will be informed about the trial results and the treatment allocation arm they were allocated.

BMJ Open

In Reacher 1992 38 people refused their random allocation but it was not reported which groups they were allocated to.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

They were allocated housing by Nauru and Australian governments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Previously, they were allocated to people who knew someone in government.

The Guardian

That's bad news for investors who thought their luck was in when they were allocated some Facebook stock.

The New Yorker

They were allocated into groups of similar or different age and sex or where membership changed regularly or remained stable.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Interviews explored their recall and understanding of trial information, and their reasoning about how they were allocated to a treatment.

Social Science & Medicine

Generally, the fund managers said they made commitments to buy at least two to three times the number of shares that they were allocated at the offering.

The New York Times

Six local authorities spent less than half the money they were allocated for these "discretionary housing payments" by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The Guardian

The figures showed that 21 states had spent less than 10percentt of the money they were allocated to help preserve Medicaid for people leaving welfare.

The New York Times

A participant's 'belief' in whether they were allocated to active medication or placebo treatment is likely informed by their expectations and experience of a clinical trial.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were allocated", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to and what was allocated. Clarity is key in passive voice constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "they were allocated" without a clear antecedent for "they". Always ensure the reader knows who or what "they" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were allocated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group ("they") received something as a result of an allocation process. Ludwig confirms the proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were allocated" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe the assignment or distribution of resources, tasks, or roles to a group. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is acceptable. It is frequently found in scientific literature and news articles. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the identity of "they" and the nature of the allocation is essential. Alternatives like "they were assigned" or "they were given" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were assigned

This alternative directly replaces "allocated" with "assigned", maintaining a similar meaning of task or resource distribution.

they were allotted

"Allotted" is very close in meaning to "allocated", suggesting a specific amount or share was given to them.

they were designated

Using "designated" implies a more official or formal assignment compared to "allocated".

they were given

"Given" is a simpler and more general way to express that something was provided or assigned to them.

they were distributed

This suggests a broad, even division among a group of people, similar to "allocated".

they were granted

"Granted" suggests that the allocation was a privilege or a right bestowed upon them.

they were apportioned

"Apportioned" indicates that something was divided and distributed among them in specific amounts.

they were designated for

This alternative underscores the purpose for which they received their allocation, emphasizing the intended use.

they were tasked with

This focuses on the assignment of a task or responsibility rather than a resource.

they were entrusted with

"Entrusted" suggests a high degree of trust and responsibility associated with the allocation.

FAQs

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

Use "they were allocated" when you want to describe a situation where a group or individuals received a specific resource, task, or position. For example, "They were allocated housing by Nauru and Australian governments".

What are some alternatives to "they were allocated"?

You can use alternatives like "they were assigned", "they were given", or "they were designated" depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when describing allocations?

Using the active voice (e.g. "The committee allocated the funds") is often clearer and more direct. However, the passive voice ("they were allocated funds") can be useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the recipients.

What's the difference between "they were allocated" and "they received"?

"They were allocated" implies a deliberate decision-making process and assignment, while "they received" is more general and could encompass various means of obtaining something. Allocation suggests a formal distribution.