they were argued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were argued" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not usable because "argued" typically requires a subject that performs the action, making the passive construction awkward and unclear. Example: "They were argued against by the opposition during the debate."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Of course they were, argued Freud.

The Guardian - Books

In addition the first President Bush had a trusted and highly capable national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft, who acted as "the impresario and enforcer" of a policy making process that was notable for its transparency: "a basic condition of trust prevailed," and while there were differences of view on many issues, "they were argued out and the president decided".

The New York Times

Soon after, they were argued to be the cellular "absorbers of mechanical stress", when it was found that mutations in epidermal keratins would lead to severe skin blistering diseases (for review see [ 1]).

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"They were arguing".

The New York Times

Again, they were arguing.

The New Yorker

And they were arguing.

The New York Times

"They were arguing too much".

The New York Times - Style

They were arguing like married people.

The New Yorker

They were arguing in the dressing room.

The Guardian

But in another moment they were arguing.

The New Yorker

They were arguing about the war, deciding on Russian strategy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing debates or disagreements, use stronger verbs like "debated", "asserted", or "contended" to convey the intensity and nature of the discussion more effectively.

Common error

Don't use passive voice constructions when it obscures the actor. Passive voice can weaken the sentence, so prefer active voice alternatives to express who performed the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were argued" typically functions as a passive construction. However, it is often considered grammatically incorrect as the verb "argue" usually requires a subject that actively performs the arguing. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "they were argued" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect and non-standard. The few examples found show usage in News & Media and Science contexts, but these do not validate the phrase's correctness. It's advisable to use alternative phrases with active voice or clearer passive constructions to ensure grammatical accuracy and effective communication. Opting for phrases like "the issues were debated" or rephrasing to show who was doing the arguing will result in stronger and more grammatically sound sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the points were debated

This alternative focuses on the act of debating specific points, shifting the emphasis from people to ideas.

arguments were presented

This phrase highlights the presentation of arguments, emphasizing the structured delivery of reasons.

the claims were asserted

This alternative underscores the act of stating claims forcefully, focusing on the strength of declarations.

the issues were discussed

This version concentrates on a general discussion of issues, rather than a formal argument.

the proposals were considered

This alternative highlights the act of evaluating proposals, suggesting a more thoughtful review.

they engaged in debate

This shifts to an active voice, showing individuals actively participating in a debate.

they held differing views

This expresses a difference in opinion without necessarily implying a direct confrontation or argument.

they had a disagreement

This indicates a simple disagreement, without specifying the depth or intensity of the dispute.

they exchanged opinions

This suggests a mutual sharing of opinions, which may or may not involve argument.

they expressed opposing viewpoints

This focuses on the expression of different viewpoints, highlighting the contrast in perspectives.

FAQs

Is "they were argued" grammatically correct?

No, "they were argued" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use active voice or rephrase the sentence for clarity. Ludwig AI identifies this usage as non-standard.

What can I say instead of "they were argued"?

Instead of "they were argued", you can use alternatives such as "the issues were "issues were debated"", "arguments were "arguments were presented"", or "the claims were "claims were asserted"", depending on the intended meaning.

How to avoid using passive voice constructions like "they were argued"?

To avoid passive voice, rephrase the sentence to focus on the actor. For example, instead of "they were argued against", say "the opposition "argued against them"".

What is the difference between "they were argued" and "they argued"?

"They argued" is an active voice construction where "they" are performing the action of arguing. "They were argued" is a passive construction, which is generally incorrect because "argue" requires a conscious actor. A correct passive version would need an object, like "they were argued against".