they were compiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were compiled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a collection or assembly of information, data, or materials that have been gathered together. Example: "The reports were meticulously reviewed before they were compiled into the final document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Over eight decades, the style guides have reflected the times during which they were compiled.

The Guardian

And since they were compiled the news has not been encouraging.

The Economist

They were compiled, in large measure, by Mr. Huth and the naturalist he succeeded, Daniel Smiley Jr.

The New York Times - Science

"They were compiled to show whether or not someone was paying the bills, which is not always the same thing".

The New York Times

Sutton, on the other hand, has played the US Tour all year, monitored at first hand the performances and scores of various players and seen the conditions in which they were compiled.

The Guardian - Sport

As party planning tips go, these would hardly rate a second glance except that they were compiled by an organization better known for its factory-floor radicalism than for its mayonnaise dip: the American Communist Party.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Lawyers for the abuse victims said they were compiling a list of documents that they believe are missing or are erroneously redacted, and may file a motion next week to compel the church to release them.

The New York Times

A month before the youth-led revolution broke into the open in Tahrir Square, the underground rap collective released "Revolution Time" on the Web site ReverbNation.com to drum up interest for an album they were compiling.

The New York Times

Several marshals said, both on and off the record, that they don't recall Dimon being on the list and don't remember him even coming up during any discussions when they were compiling the list.

Huffington Post

They are compiled regularly in small books published by Actes Sud in France.

The New York Times - Arts

In the ever more politicised context of Brexit, however, the figures – and the arguments about how they are compiled – are taking on a new and sharper significance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were compiled", ensure the subject clearly refers to a set of data, documents, or information that has been systematically collected and organized.

Common error

Avoid using "they were compiled" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "they were compiled by the team", consider "the team compiled them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were compiled" functions as a passive construction. It indicates that a subject ("they") underwent the action of being compiled. Ludwig confirms this construction is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were compiled" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to describe the collection and organization of data or information. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently encountered in news articles and scientific publications, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While alternatives such as "they were gathered" or "they were assembled" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. When using "they were compiled", ensure that the subject refers to a clearly defined set of information and that the passive voice is appropriate for the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the data was assembled

Changes the subject and verb tense while maintaining the passive voice and meaning of gathering information.

the information was collated

Synonymous replacement for "compiled", focusing on the arrangement of information.

they were put together

Replaces "compiled" with a more informal, yet semantically similar, phrasal verb.

the collection was created

Focuses on the creation of the collection rather than the act of compiling.

the records were gathered

Emphasizes the act of gathering records instead of compiling them.

they were aggregated

Replaces "compiled" with a more technical term, implying a specific method of combining data.

the results were tabulated

Focuses on organizing results into a table format, implying a specific method of compilation.

they resulted from a compilation process

Changes the structure to emphasize the compilation process as the cause.

they were formulated

Focuses on a more abstract process of formulation rather than compiling data.

the documents were drafted

Shifts the focus to the creation of documents, which may involve compilation.

FAQs

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

Use "they were compiled" when you want to emphasize the collection and organization of information or data. For example, "The statistics "they were compiled" show a significant increase in sales."

What can I say instead of "they were compiled"?

You can use alternatives like "they were gathered", "they were assembled", or "they were collected" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were compiled" or "they compiled"?

"They were compiled" is passive voice, indicating that something was done to "they". "They compiled" is active voice, indicating that "they" performed the action. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the subject or the action.

What's the difference between "they were compiled" and "they are compiled"?

"They were compiled" indicates that the compilation happened in the past. "They are compiled" indicates that the compilation happens regularly or is an ongoing process.