they were caused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were caused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the origins or reasons behind certain events or phenomena. Example: "The changes in climate patterns were caused by a combination of human activity and natural processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Officials are investigating whether they were caused by a common environmental factor.

The New York Times

Some experts argued that they were caused by a predator's bite.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One possible explanation for these findings is that they were caused by a motion after-effect.

The Guardian

But perhaps if they saw my tears they'd think they were caused by the wind?

The New Yorker

The hospital report on their injuries concluded that they were caused by "unknown poisonous substances".

The Guardian

Scientists reported that they were caused by briny, liquid water staining the dry sand.

The Guardian - Opinion

Shell claims they were caused by sabotage and says its local subsidiary cleaned up the damage.

The Guardian

Some theorized that they were caused by a large volcano to the west.

MIT Technology Review

Others thought they were caused by lightning, or by electricity in the earth.

MIT Technology Review

They were caused either by an extinct strain of Yersinia or by something else entirely.

The New York Times

They were caused by a different susceptibility of Alpine fern lady and bilberry plant residues to the decomposition.

Geoderma

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the passive voice with "they were caused", ensure the agent or cause is clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "They were caused by mistakes", specify "They were caused by a series of critical mistakes in the design phase".

Common error

While "they were caused" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem vague or indirect. Try to rephrase sentences using active voice where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The delays were caused by the weather", write "The weather caused the delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were caused" functions as a passive causal construction. It indicates that a particular entity or event (represented by 'they') is the recipient of an action, where the action is 'being caused' by an external factor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were caused" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for indicating the origin or reason behind events. As Ludwig AI confirms, the passive construction makes it particularly suitable for objective and informative writing, especially when the cause is more important than the actor. While overuse of passive voice should be avoided for a more engaging style, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in "news & media", "science", and academic contexts. Consider alternative phrases like "they resulted from" or "they originated from" for variety. When using "they were caused", ensure clarity by specifying the cause, as indicated in the best practices. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources highlights its reliability and usefulness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they originated from

Emphasizes the place or source from which something began.

they resulted from

Highlights the outcome or consequence of a particular action or event.

they stemmed from

Suggests a more gradual and developmental origin.

they arose from

Implies an emergence or coming into being from a specific situation.

they were triggered by

Focuses on the specific event or factor that initiated the situation.

they were brought about by

Highlights the factors that actively caused something to happen.

they were a consequence of

Specifically frames the phrase as a result or effect.

the reason for them was

Directly states the cause or explanation.

they have their roots in

Suggests a deep and historical origin.

they were born out of

Emphasizes the creative or transformative aspect of the origin.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were caused" to sound more active?

Consider using phrases like "they resulted from", "they originated from", or rephrase the sentence to use an active voice, such as "X caused them", where X is the causal agent.

What is the difference between "they were caused by" and "they resulted in"?

"They were caused by" indicates the origin or source of something, while "they resulted in" indicates the outcome or consequence. The first focuses on the cause, and the second on the effect.

Is it always necessary to specify what "they were caused" by?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the cause provides clarity and context. Omitting the cause can lead to ambiguity or require the reader to infer the origin, which might not always be accurate.

In what contexts is it best to use the phrase "they were caused"?

The phrase is suitable in contexts where the focus is on the origin or reason behind certain events or phenomena, especially when the agent is less important than the action or result. It's often used in scientific reports, news articles, and formal analyses.