they were approached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were approached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or a group was contacted or visited by another person or group for a specific purpose. Example: "During the meeting, they were approached by several investors interested in their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Relatives also say they were approached.

The Guardian

"We shouldn't be surprised they were approached.

The New York Times - Sports

They were approached by John Lithgow, who had received cheers when he delivered Olson's closing remarks.

The New Yorker

Once offshore, they were approached by protesters in a rubber dinghy called the Workingman's Life Raft.

The New York Times - Style

About 20 minutes later they were approached by Pritchard's sister who gave a description matching his.

The Guardian

Presently, they were approached by a group of women with lanterns also searching for survivors.

The New York Times

Whenever they were approached, they silently handed the passerby a card.

The Guardian

Sheikha Radia and Sheikha Naeema were recent graduates when they were approached.

The Guardian

They were approached and politely informed that shorts were not allowed.

The New York Times - Sports

Since then, several players have said they were approached with offers to fix matches for money.

The New York Times - Sports

Suddenly, they were approached by a man with a gun who identified himself as a Secret Service agent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were approached", ensure the context clearly indicates who approached them and for what purpose. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "they were approached". Sometimes, active voice can make your writing more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing as "someone approached them" to emphasize the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were approached" functions as the passive voice of the verb "approach". It indicates that the subject (they) received the action of being approached by someone or something. This construction shifts the focus from the actor to the recipient of the action, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

45%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were approached" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that a group or individuals were contacted or visited by someone for a specific purpose. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase appears frequently in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, with a neutral register applicable to both formal and informal settings. When using "they were approached", it's important to ensure clarity regarding who initiated the contact and the reason behind it. Alternatives such as "they were contacted" or "they were asked" can offer subtle nuances in meaning. The AI analysis confirms the phrase's validity and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were contacted

Focuses on the act of communication rather than physical coming near.

they were asked

A simple and direct way of saying they received a question or request.

they were solicited

Implies a request or attempt to obtain something from them.

someone got in touch with them

Focuses on the initiation of communication by another party.

someone made contact with them

Highlights the establishment of communication.

they were propositioned

Suggests an offer or proposal, often of a specific or potentially dubious nature.

they were presented with

Highlights the offering or introduction of something to them.

they were met by

Indicates an encounter or meeting, often planned or anticipated.

they received an invitation

Specifically denotes a formal request to attend or participate in something.

they were introduced to

Emphasizes the act of being formally presented or acquainted with someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were approached" to indicate that someone or a group was contacted or visited by another person or group for a specific reason. For example: "During the conference, they were approached by several investors interested in their startup."

What are some alternatives to "they were approached"?

Some alternatives include "they were contacted", "they were solicited", or "they were asked", depending on the specific context.

When is it better to use the active voice instead of "they were approached"?

It's often better to use the active voice when you want to emphasize who performed the action. For example, instead of "they were approached by the recruiters", you could say "the recruiters approached them".

What's the difference between "they were approached" and "they were reached out to"?

"They were approached" typically implies a more direct or in-person contact, while "they were reached out to" suggests a less formal or remote method of contact, such as email or phone. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the interaction.