they were assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were assumed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing beliefs or conclusions drawn about a group of people or things without direct evidence. Example: "In the study, they were assumed to have the same level of expertise as their peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the women travelled in the company of their male colleagues, they were assumed to be concubines.

The Guardian

Since they were made by Giovanni da Maiano, a contemporary of Michelangelo, they were assumed to have been shipped from Italy.

The Guardian

"There is little reason to think that the power of the great bankers, while they were assumed to have it, was much resented.

The New York Times

Newton brought fetishism to eroticism and then took both into mainstream photography at a time, in the 1970s, when they were assumed to belong only to those with rarefied tastes who sought them out on the top shelves.

The Guardian

They were assumed to be synchronized among themselves and with the REM.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Spheres were used because they were assumed to be perfect and more harmonious than trees.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

These areas were selected because they were assumed to have the worse traffic problems generated by inappropriate freight parking practices.

European Transport Research Review

In time-varying channel case, they were assumed as 0.975 and 1 in order to better track the signal.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

rNSCs on 238 nm nanofiber mesh were spread on the nanofiber matrix, and they were assumed cell morphology of glial lineage.

Nano Convergence

As these six characteristics are corresponding to the 6-factor-solution of the factor analysis, they were assumed to cover the relevant range of treatment characteristics.

Health Economics Review

Where no direct fire emissions is reported, they were assumed as negligible, according to the information reported by each country on the National Inventory Reports submitted to UNFCCC.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were assumed" when indicating a belief or conclusion drawn without explicit proof, especially in scientific or analytical contexts.

Common error

Overusing "they were assumed" in persuasive writing can weaken your argument. Clearly state the evidence supporting your claims instead of relying on assumptions. If you state an assumption make sure to follow it up with evidence or reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were assumed" functions as a passive voice construction used to indicate that a belief, supposition, or presumption was made about a group or things. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were assumed" is a grammatically sound passive construction widely utilized to convey a belief or presumption about a group or things without necessarily providing explicit evidence. As Ludwig AI shows, it's particularly prevalent in scientific and analytical contexts, though it also appears in news and general writing. Ludwig confirms that its versatility makes it suitable for various communication styles, ranging from formal scientific discourse to neutral reporting. It is, however, crucial to avoid overuse in persuasive writing, backing up assumptions with solid evidence or reasoning. Overall, understanding the nuances of "they were assumed" can improve precision and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was presumed

Focus shifts from a group to a singular, impersonal subject.

they were considered

Emphasizes a formal evaluation or judgment.

it was taken for granted

Highlights the lack of questioning or examination.

they were thought to be

Implies a degree of uncertainty or speculation.

it was understood

Stresses a shared or implicit agreement.

they were believed to be

Focuses on a held belief or conviction.

it was inferred

Highlights a conclusion drawn from evidence or reasoning.

they were deemed

Indicates a formal assessment or judgment.

it was speculated

Suggests conjecture or guesswork.

they were presupposed

Implies a prior assumption or condition.

FAQs

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

Use "they were assumed" when you want to indicate a presumption or belief about something without necessarily having definitive proof. For example, "They were assumed to be experts in the field because of their extensive publications".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was "presumed"", "they were "considered"", or "it was "taken for granted" depending on the context.

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

The phrase "they were assumed" is already in the passive voice. Using the active voice would require restructuring the sentence. For example, instead of "They were assumed to be correct", you might say "We assumed they were correct".

What's the difference between "they were assumed" and "they were expected"?

"They were assumed" implies a belief or supposition, while "they were expected" suggests an anticipation or requirement. For example, "They were assumed to understand the instructions" suggests a belief about their knowledge, whereas "They were expected to follow the instructions" suggests a required action.