they were awarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were awarded" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used in the passive voice to indicate that someone or a group of people received something as a recognition or honor. Example: "The team worked hard all season, and as a result, they were awarded the championship trophy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 1999, they were awarded Favorite New Artist Country at the American Music Awards.

Wikipedia

They were awarded 'Best Debut Album' of 1984 at the July 1985 Countdown Music Awards.

Wikipedia

They were awarded $1m for their effort.

The Economist

They were awarded a Prix Courage.

The New Yorker

In 1977, they were awarded a second, and in 1982 they were awarded their third.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In 2003 they were awarded the Albany Medical Prize.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were awarded damages of $1 each for that.

The New York Times

In return they were awarded two penalties all match.

The Guardian - Sport

They were awarded £25,000, which they recently paid back.

The Guardian - Music

In 1997 they were awarded the Nobel prize.

The Guardian - Opinion

Previously, employees could collect payments 18 months after they were awarded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were awarded" when you want to emphasize recognition or merit. It's suitable for formal contexts like news reports, academic papers, and official announcements.

Common error

Avoid switching to the active voice when the passive construction is more appropriate. For example, don't say "the committee awarded them" when the focus is on the recipients, as in "they were awarded by the committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were awarded" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that a group received something, emphasizing the recognition or honor bestowed upon them. Ludwig AI also confirms its proper grammatical structure and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were awarded" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction. Ludwig AI validates this. It's typically employed to highlight that a group has received recognition or something of value, as supported by examples across news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. While versatile, it’s best suited for neutral to formal contexts, emphasizing the act of awarding rather than the effort exerted by the recipients. Alternatives like "they received" or "they earned" offer subtle shifts in emphasis. Remember to maintain a passive voice construction and focus on directness when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were honored with

Emphasizes the distinction and respect given, shifting the focus from the tangible award itself.

they received

Focuses on the act of getting something, differing from the formal acknowledgement implied by "awarded".

they were presented with

Highlights the act of formally giving something.

they were bestowed

Implies a formal or ceremonial presentation of something valuable or significant.

they were granted

Emphasizes permission or opportunity given, rather than recognition.

they were the recipients of

This phrase focuses on them as the receivers and is a bit more formal than the query.

prizes were conferred upon them

Uses more formal and passive language, emphasizing the act of giving the prize rather than the recipients.

they earned

Highlights the effort put in to deserve what was received.

they were given

A more general and less formal way of saying something was received.

they obtained

Suggests an active effort to acquire something, possibly contrasting to merit.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "they were bestowed" or "they were conferred". These options add a sense of ceremony or importance to the act of awarding.

What's a simpler way to say "they were awarded"?

If you want a more straightforward alternative, try "they received" or "they got". These options are less formal and more suitable for casual contexts.

Is it correct to say "they were awarded with"?

While not strictly incorrect, "they were awarded with" can sound redundant. It's generally better to say "they were awarded" followed directly by what they received. For example, "they were awarded a prize" is preferable to "they were awarded with a prize".

How does "they were awarded" differ from "they earned"?

"They were awarded" implies a formal recognition or bestowal, while "they earned" emphasizes the effort and merit that led to receiving something. The former focuses on the act of giving, and the latter focuses on the act of deserving.