they were caught

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were caught" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
For example: The police found the robbers and they were caught.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I guess they were caught".

The New Yorker

Then they were caught.

The Washington Post

They were caught.

The Washington Post

They were caught unaware.

The New York Times

Finally they were caught.

The New Yorker

State officials said they were caught unaware.

The New York Times

They were caught behind Ukrainian lines.

Independent

This time, they were caught.

The Washington Post

"Apparently, they were caught eating".

The Guardian

"They were caught off-guard".

The Guardian

If they were caught, they'd be arrested.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were caught" to clearly indicate that a group was apprehended or discovered in a specific act or situation. Ensure the context provides enough information about who "they" refers to and what they were caught doing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were caught" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure the reader knows who is being referred to, or rephrase to be more specific (e.g., "the thieves were caught").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were caught" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group was the recipient of an action (being caught). Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were caught" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction to describe a group being apprehended or discovered. As Ludwig AI states, it's perfectly correct and usable in writing. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and informal settings. The key to using this phrase effectively is to ensure clear context and pronoun reference. While alternative phrases like "they were apprehended" or "they were discovered" exist, "they were caught" remains a versatile and widely understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were captured

Implies a more forceful or strategic taking into custody, often in a conflict situation.

they were arrested

Specifically denotes being taken into legal custody by law enforcement.

they were apprehended

Focuses specifically on the act of being formally arrested or taken into custody.

they were exposed

Highlights the revealing of their true nature or hidden actions to the public.

they were found out

Emphasizes the revelation of wrongdoing, rather than the physical act of being caught.

they were seized

Suggests a sudden and forceful taking of possession or control.

they were intercepted

Implies that their progress was stopped before reaching a destination or goal.

they were discovered

Highlights the uncovering of a secret or hidden action, leading to their capture.

they were detected

Focuses on the fact that their presence or actions became known, often through technical means.

they got nabbed

More informal, suggesting a swift and perhaps unexpected capture.

FAQs

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

Use "they were caught" to indicate that a group of people were apprehended or discovered doing something, as in "The burglars entered the building, and "they were caught" by the police".

What are some alternatives to saying "they were caught"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they were apprehended", "they were discovered", or "they were arrested".

Is it grammatically correct to say "they was caught" instead of "they were caught"?

No, "they was caught" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""they were caught"", as "were" is the correct past tense form of "to be" for the plural pronoun "they".

What's the difference between "they were caught" and "they got caught"?

"They were caught" is a more formal and grammatically standard way of saying that a group was apprehended. "They got caught" is more informal but conveys the same meaning.