they were appointed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were appointed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to individuals who have been officially designated for a position or role. Example: "After a thorough selection process, they were appointed as the new board members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The judges will have less protection than if they were appointed by the government," he says.

The Economist

They were appointed by state legislatures, filled with men of property and stature.

The New York Times

Consequently, they moved to the nearby University of Göttingen, where they were appointed librarians and professors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Carrie Anderson, one of the 20 complainants, said: "They were appointed.

The New York Times

(They were appointed to the Whips Office yesterday, in a sign of greater things to come).

The Guardian

Republicans have called some members of the commission biased because they were appointed by Mr. Spitzer.

The New York Times

If they were appointed just for photo-ops in election years they would hold office for shorter spells.

The Economist

They were appointed for their loyalty, as were the American bishops who stubbornly upheld the contraception nonsense in our elections.

The New York Times

Where once they were appointed for their scholarship, now they are required to be strategists, fundraisers and entertainers too.

The Guardian

I had independent management, but they were appointed by Syco and we parted ways a couple of months later.

The Guardian - Music

And that is because they were appointed by politicians who themselves have no interest in promoting objectivity and truth".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing the passive voice construction "they were appointed" with an active voice construction (e.g., "the committee appointed them") to make your writing more direct and concise.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific group of individuals; avoid using "they were appointed" if the referent is unclear or ambiguous in the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were appointed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of individuals received an appointment. As shown by Ludwig, this grammatical construction clearly communicates the action of assigning a role or position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were appointed" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive voice construction that communicates the selection and assignment of individuals to specific roles or positions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is suitable for both formal and informal settings, considering the active voice can sometimes provide a more direct and concise alternative. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the referent of "they" and the authority making the appointment is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were designated

Replaces "appointed" with "designated", implying a formal selection or assignment.

they were selected

Emphasizes the act of choosing them from a larger group.

they were chosen

Similar to "selected" but can imply a more informal selection process.

they were named

Highlights the act of officially giving them the title or position.

they were assigned

Focuses on the act of giving them a specific task or role.

they were commissioned

Suggests a formal authorization or instruction to perform a task.

they were installed

Implies a more ceremonial or official placement into a position.

they were enrolled

Indicates that they were registered or formally included in a group or organization.

they were inducted

Suggests a formal acceptance or initiation into a group or position.

they were ordained

Often used in religious or ceremonial contexts, indicating a formal designation or consecration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were appointed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "they were designated" or "they were commissioned", depending on the specific context.

What does "they were appointed" mean?

The phrase "they were appointed" means that a group of people were officially chosen or assigned to a specific position, role, or task by an authority or organization.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "they were appointed"?

While "they were appointed" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "the board appointed them") can often make your writing more direct and easier to understand. However, the passive voice may be preferable when you want to emphasize the recipients of the appointment rather than the appointer.

What are some synonyms for "appointed" in the phrase "they were appointed"?

Some synonyms for "appointed" in this context include "selected", "chosen", "designated", or "assigned", depending on the nuance you want to convey.