they were contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were contained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is held within certain limits or boundaries. Example: "The hazardous materials were contained to prevent any environmental damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Paine's closing years, pitiful as they were, contained one triumph.

The Guardian - Books

They were contained in a decaying black garbage bag.

The New York Times

It may have been the vessel they were contained in – a peanut butter jar.

The Guardian - Books

They were contained by the security and did not make it to the seats.

The Guardian - Sport

They were contained instead in a male-enhancement product called ExtenZe, bought over the counter from a convenience store.

The New York Times

In the end they were contained... there is a difficult balance because they were intermingling with, and were in amongst, getting on for 400,000 TUC protesters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"They were containing a little leak soon after the rainy season.

The Guardian

Officers were told they were containing or detaining those in the climate camp to prevent a breach of the peace.

The Guardian

Using bulldozers, tankers filled with water and four-wheel-drive trucks, they were containing the fire last night, officials said, although the fire was still smoldering.

The New York Times

In the meantime, all the bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized under every condition showed that they were containing oxygen elements.

Nanoscale Research Letters

I now know that they were containing their happiness as I sobbed and told them how proud I was of them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they were contained", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what "they" refers to: "The protesters were contained by police."

Common error

Avoid using "they were contained" when the intended meaning is simply "they were included". "Contained" implies a sense of restriction or enclosure, not mere inclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were contained" functions as a passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The auxiliary verb 'were' indicates past tense, and 'contained' signifies that the subject 'they' was subjected to an action of being kept within limits.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were contained" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction, employed to convey that a group or items were kept within a specific area or boundary. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and appropriateness for diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic domains, the phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for broad audiences. When employing this expression, clarity in subject definition and an accurate understanding of its restrictive connotations are crucial to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives like "they were confined" or "they were limited" depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were confined

Replaces "contained" with "confined", emphasizing restriction to a smaller area.

they were enclosed

Substitutes "contained" with "enclosed", suggesting being surrounded or surrounded by something.

they were held

Uses "held" instead of "contained", implying temporary restraint.

they were kept

Replaces "contained" with "kept", focusing on maintaining something in a specific state or place.

they were secured

Substitutes "contained" with "secured", highlighting protection and safety.

they were restrained

Uses "restrained" instead of "contained", suggesting controlled movement or action.

they were surrounded

Replaces "contained" with "surrounded", implying being encircled by something.

they were surrounded

Uses "limited" instead of "contained", emphasizing restriction to a specific amount or extent.

they were situated

Replaces "contained" with "situated", focusing on physical placement within something.

they were accommodated

Substitutes "contained" with "accommodated", implying something was made to fit inside.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they were contained" is used to describe a situation where a group or items are kept within a defined area or boundary. For example: "The protestors "they were detained" by police within the park", or "The chemical spill "they were contained" by a barrier to prevent further contamination".

What are some alternatives to saying "they were contained"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "they were confined", "they were enclosed", or "they were limited".

Is it grammatically correct to say "they were contained"?

Yes, "they were contained" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice, indicating that "they" were the recipients of the action of being contained.

What does "they were contained" imply?

The phrase "they were contained" implies that a group or items were kept within certain limits, often to prevent them from spreading or causing harm. It suggests a deliberate action to restrict movement or influence.