they were appreciated

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were appreciated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe people who were thanked for their hard work or effort in a particular situation. For example, "The volunteers were appreciated for giving their time to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They were appreciated even by opposing fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Frances Marzio, his curator, described him as a great connoisseur who recognized the creative genius of diverse cultures before they were appreciated by many others.

The New York Times

When Ms. Previn recorded those songs in the early 1970s, they were appreciated as much for their gossip value as for their superior craft.

The New York Times - Arts

Certainly, they were appreciated for more than their value as currency, because they were often used in jewelry and decorative arts of the period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Apart from the public, they were appreciated by architects some time before art critics began to take an interest in them," said Mr. Costa.

The New York Times - Arts

Throughout the season, PGA Tour players heeded the preseason request by the commissioner, Tim Finchem, to go out of their way to let sponsors know how much they were appreciated.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I thought they were appreciating the fans' enthusiasm.

The Guardian - Sport

And they let they horse know they were appreciating what they were seeing.

Huffington Post

They're appreciated.

The New York Times

They are appreciated by investors in Asia, even so.

The Economist

On the literary side they are appreciated as stylistic masterpieces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were appreciated" to express gratitude or recognition for past actions or contributions. Ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were appreciated" without clearly establishing who or what "they" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and diminish the impact of your statement. Provide context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were appreciated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received gratitude or recognition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its common usage in describing recognition for effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

26%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were appreciated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express past recognition or gratitude. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure the referent is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "they were valued" or "they were recognized" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were valued

Replaces "appreciated" with "valued", focusing on the inherent worth recognized in something or someone.

they were recognized

Substitutes "appreciated" with "recognized", highlighting the acknowledgement of their contributions or qualities.

they were acknowledged

Uses "acknowledged" instead of "appreciated", emphasizing the formal acceptance or awareness of their efforts.

their worth was recognized

Emphasizes "worth" and uses a slightly more formal tone than the original phrase.

they were well-regarded

Indicates a high level of respect and admiration, replacing a simple expression of gratitude.

they were highly esteemed

Conveys a greater sense of respect and honor than simply being "appreciated".

they were favorably received

Focuses on the positive response or acceptance they garnered, rather than the feeling of gratitude.

they were given credit for

Highlights the attribution of positive outcomes or achievements to them.

their efforts were lauded

Emphasizes public praise and admiration for their efforts.

they received accolades

Implies they were formally recognized and celebrated for their achievements.

FAQs

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

Use "they were appreciated" to indicate that a group or entity received recognition or gratitude for something they did. For example, "The volunteers were appreciated for their hard work".

What's a more formal alternative to "they were appreciated"?

More formal alternatives include "they were valued" or "they were recognized", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "they are appreciated" instead of "they were appreciated"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "They are appreciated" implies a current state of gratitude or recognition, while "they were appreciated" indicates that gratitude or recognition was given in the past.

Can "they were appreciated" be used in a business context?

Yes, "they were appreciated" can be used in a business context to acknowledge the contributions of employees, teams, or partners. For example, "The team's efforts on the project were greatly appreciated".