they were conceived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were conceived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the origin or creation of ideas, plans, or even living beings. Example: "The theories were developed over many years, but they were conceived during a pivotal moment in history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human Reproduction

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

An increasing proportion of parents disclose their origins to their donor-conceived children and growing numbers of donor-conceived adults are aware of how they were conceived.

Human Reproduction

LYDIA DAVIS: They were conceived years and years apart.

The New Yorker

They were conceived a century ago by the Metropolitan Railway, forebear of the eponymous tube line.

The Guardian - Money

They were conceived as a way of extracting private profit from social provision.

The Guardian

"They were conceived to make the rooms an extension of the corridor".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They were churned out so quickly, and they were completely artificial in how they were conceived.

The New York Times - Arts

"They're not a regular guitar that was made beautiful, they were conceived that way.

The New York Times

The very displays are a reflection of the time when they were conceived.

The New York Times

CBS has supported the awards since they were conceived in 1978.

The New York Times

Conversations with their mother led her daughters to believe that they were conceived of sexual abuse.

The New York Times

They were conceived as innovative projects - and now their ideas are being adopted for use by other causes and communities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were conceived", ensure that the subject is clearly defined. This helps avoid ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were conceived" in informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "they started" or "they began" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were conceived" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being created or originated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were conceived" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive construction, commonly used to describe the origin or initial development of ideas, plans, or beings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While primarily found in news, media and scientific contexts, its usage spans various registers, indicating a broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining the subject and consider simpler alternatives for informal writing. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate the phrase's adaptability and appropriateness in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were created

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence, often by design.

they were formed

Suggests the act of taking shape or being brought into a particular configuration.

they originated

Focuses on the beginning or starting point of something, without necessarily implying a deliberate act of creation.

they were developed

Highlights the process of growth and refinement over time.

they were brought about

Indicates that something was caused or made to happen.

they came into being

A more formal and philosophical way of expressing the beginning of existence.

they stemmed from

Implies that something arose as a result of something else.

they took shape

Implies the gradual formation of something, often an idea or plan.

their genesis was

A more sophisticated way of indicating the beginning or origin of something.

they were born

Typically used in contexts relating to living beings, or the start of an event.

FAQs

How to use "they were conceived" in a sentence?

You can use "they were conceived" to describe the origin or creation of ideas, plans, or even living beings. For example, "The theories were developed over many years, but they were conceived during a pivotal moment in history."

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

You can use alternatives like "they originated", "they were created", or "they were formed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were conceived" or "they are conceived"?

"They were conceived" is used for something that has already been created or originated in the past, while "they are conceived" would refer to something currently in the process of being conceived. The correct tense depends on the context.

What's the difference between "they were conceived" and "they were designed"?

"They were conceived" implies the initial idea or plan, whereas "they were designed" refers to a more detailed and purposeful planning process with a specific outcome in mind.