they were characterised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were characterised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the defining traits or features of a person, group, or thing in a specific context. Example: "In the study, they were characterised as innovative thinkers who challenged traditional norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

All raw materials were commercially available and they were characterised prior to composite production.

Biomaterials

They were characterised by XPS, CO chemisorption, TPD TPR and DRIFT.

Catalysis Today

Like today's workers, they were "characterised by insecurity, by episodic, temporary and spatially diffuse employment, and very difficult to organise on a workplace basis".

The Guardian - Books

We stood by Pussy Riot when they were characterised as extremists, now can we ignore our government when it wants to ban people from the public sphere who offend religions?

Independent

Elbow's career used to be viewed as a series of mishaps – even after 2001 they had problems with record companies, were signed and dropped, had LPs shelved or badly promoted – and they were characterised as nearly men until The Seldom Seen Kid, and its smash hit, One Day Like This, changed their punchline in 2008.

The Guardian - Music

Mounting evidence suggests Neanderthals were not the brutes they were characterised as decades ago.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

They are characterised by tormented conscience and by resilience.

The Guardian - Books

What these countries have in common is that they are characterised as being largely pro-European.

The Guardian

They are characterised by large differences in hydroperiod (HP), size, shape and edge steepness.

Limnologica - Ecology and Management of Inland Waters

However, they are characterised by their poor tribological properties which limit their applicability in tribological systems.

Wear

They are characterised as new multimodal motions emanating from the backbone in the frequency stiffness plot.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were characterised", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to, and what specific characteristics are being described. This helps maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were characterised" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For instance, instead of "they were characterised by their resilience", consider "their resilience characterised them" in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were characterised" functions as a passive construction used to describe the attributes or qualities assigned to a particular subject. As Ludwig confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were characterised" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to describe the attributes or qualities of a subject. As Ludwig highlights, this passive construction is prevalent in scientific, news, and general contexts. While alternatives like "they were described" or "they were defined" exist, the key to effective usage lies in ensuring clarity regarding the subject and the described characteristics. While often appropriate, consider the active voice for more direct communication. Overall, the phrase serves as a valuable tool for detailed and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were described

Changes the verb from 'characterised' to 'described', focusing on a general depiction.

they were defined

Replaces 'characterised' with 'defined', emphasizing a more precise and formal outlining of traits.

they were identified

Substitutes 'characterised' with 'identified', highlighting recognition of specific features.

they were known

Uses 'known' instead of 'characterised', indicating a common or recognized attribute.

they were regarded

Employs 'regarded' to show a particular perception or viewpoint about their qualities.

they were considered

Replaces 'characterised' with 'considered', indicating an evaluation or judgment of their nature.

they were portrayed

Switches to 'portrayed', focusing on how they were represented or depicted.

their traits included

Alters the structure to actively state that their traits included certain attributes.

their attributes featured

Similar to the above, emphasizing that their attributes prominently featured specific qualities.

they exhibited properties of

Changes the phrasing to highlight that they displayed certain properties.

FAQs

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

Use "they were characterised" to describe the typical qualities or features that define a group or subject. For example, "The Neanderthals "they were characterised" by a short, muscular physique".

What does "they were characterised" mean?

It means that certain features or qualities were attributed to a group or subject, defining their nature or typical attributes. It suggests a description based on observed traits.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "they were characterised"?

While "they were characterised" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. Instead of "they were characterised by their innovation", you could say "their innovation characterised them".

What are some alternatives to "they were characterised"?

Alternatives include "they were described", "they were defined", or "they were identified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.