they were chosen

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'they were chosen' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it if you want to describe someone being selected, typically for a task or an honor. For example, "The team held tryouts and four players were chosen to join the squad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were chosen because I.Q.

The New York Times

They were chosen to draw young audiences.

The New York Times - Arts

They were chosen from 6,300 applicants.

The New York Times

Students learned Friday whether they were chosen.

The New York Times

They were chosen because they were rare".

The New York Times - Arts

They were chosen around the time of independence in 1968.

Harvard University

They were chosen from nearly 3,000 applications submitted.

Columbia University

They were chosen on reputation and size this year.

The Guardian - Sport

They were chosen from 71 scientists who were nominated for the honor by their respective institutions.

Stanford University

They were chosen to represent a wide variety of image types, e.g., indoor, outdoor, portraits, etc.

Columbia University

They were chosen for their good character and revolutionary attitude and deeds.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were chosen", ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria or reasons for their selection. This adds clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "they were chosen" without specifying the selecting body or the basis for their selection. For instance, instead of saying "they were chosen", specify "they were chosen by the committee for their experience."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were chosen" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) underwent the action of being selected by an unspecified or previously mentioned agent. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

30%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were chosen" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction used to express that a group or individuals have been selected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. As shown across a variety of sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic institutions, it's commonly found in news, academic writing, and scientific publications. For improved clarity, it's best practice to specify the selector and the criteria used. Alternatives such as "they were selected" and "they were picked" can be used depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were selected

Replaces "chosen" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of picking out from a group. /s/they+were+selected

they were picked

Uses a more informal synonym for "chosen", suggesting a less formal selection process. /s/they+were+picked

they were designated

Emphasizes the assignment of a specific role or purpose. /s/they+were+designated

they were appointed

Indicates a formal selection, often for an official position. /s/they+were+appointed

they were elected

Specifies selection through a voting process. /s/they+were+elected

they were named

Focuses on the act of giving a title or designation. /s/they+were+named

they were favored

Suggests a preference or bias in the selection. /s/they+were+favored

they were preferred

Indicates that they were chosen because they were liked more than others. /s/they+were+preferred

they were identified

Highlights the recognition or discovery of suitable candidates. /s/they+were+identified

they were admitted

Used when the selection involves entry into a group or institution. /s/they+were+admitted

FAQs

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

Use "they were chosen" to indicate that a group was selected from a larger pool, often for a specific reason. For example, "They were chosen for their exceptional skills".

What's a more formal alternative to "they were chosen"?

A more formal alternative is "they were selected", which carries a similar meaning but sounds more sophisticated.

Is it always necessary to specify why "they were chosen"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the reason for selection provides valuable context and makes your writing clearer and more informative. Omit the reason only when it's self-evident or intentionally left ambiguous.

How does "they were chosen" differ from "they chose"?

"They were chosen" indicates a passive construction, meaning someone else did the choosing. "They chose" is an active construction, meaning they themselves made a choice. For example, "They were chosen by the manager" versus "They chose to participate".