they were checked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were checked' is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically suggests that something was examined or verified in some way. For example, you could say: "The documents were checked to ensure accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were checked for symptoms for two weeks.

The New York Times

Davis said they were checked against Hubbard's original dictation.

The New Yorker

The girls were born July 23 in Zurich; they were checked out of the hospital Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

They were checked twice daily for fever and monitored for other symptoms of the deadly disease.

The Guardian

He said they were checked only once, as they arrived for their shift.

The New York Times

The wild otters were trapped in Washington State and transported to New Mexico, where they were checked out by state game officials before the early morning release.

The New York Times

After taking what had been so startling an early lead, carelessness did for any hopes of holding on to it, even if there were times in the first half when they were checked by a harsh whistle from the referee.

The Guardian - Sport

On Wednesday, Mike Florio, of ProFootballTalk, reported that the Patriots footballs had passed the normal inspection prior to the game, but were found to be underinflated when they were checked again at halftime.

The New Yorker

In August Biafran troops crossed the Niger, seized Benin City, and were well on their way to Lagos before they were checked at Ore, a small town in Western state (now Ondo state).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a BBC Panorama interview to be broadcast tomorrow night Mr Kerr's widow, Mary, who was the book-keeper for TCA, says that major construction firms such as Laing, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, Balfour Beatty and Amec secretly paid to send the names of thousands of workers to TCA, where they were checked against a database to see if they had been previously involved in construction site disputes.

Independent

They were checked for inconsistencies such as missing or erroneous transaction dates.

Journal of Economic Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were checked" in situations where a routine examination or verification process is being described. For example, "The files were checked for accuracy before submission."

Common error

While "they were checked" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Active voice often makes your sentences clearer and more direct. Instead of "The results were checked by the team", consider "The team checked the results."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were checked" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something underwent a process of examination or verification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were checked" is a versatile and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something has been examined or verified. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. It is frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, with neutral register. While effective, remember to consider whether the active voice might create a stronger and more direct statement. Alternative phrases like "they underwent inspection" or "they were examined" can provide subtle shifts in formality or emphasis depending on the intended meaning. Ultimately, "they were checked" is a reliable option for describing a verification process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were examined

This alternative focuses on a detailed observation or investigation.

they were inspected

This alternative suggests a more formal examination.

they were verified

This alternative emphasizes the confirmation of accuracy or truth.

they were scrutinized

This alternative indicates a very close and careful examination.

they underwent inspection

This alternative suggests a more formal and thorough examination.

they were validated

This alternative suggests the establishment of soundness or legitimacy.

they were reviewed

This alternative implies a critical evaluation or reconsideration.

they were assessed

This alternative highlights an evaluation of quality or value.

they were screened

This alternative implies a filtering process to identify specific qualities.

they were audited

This alternative specifies a systematic examination of records or accounts.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they underwent inspection" or "they were inspected". These options suggest a more thorough and official examination.

What's the difference between "they were checked" and "they were examined"?

"They were checked" generally implies a routine verification process, while "they were examined" suggests a more detailed and in-depth investigation.

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

While "they were checked" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "they were checked by the team", you could say "The team checked them".

What are some alternatives to "they were checked" for a scientific context?

In a scientific context, you might use phrases like "they were validated", "they were analyzed", or "they were scrutinized", depending on the specific process being described.