they were declared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were declared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been officially announced or stated, often in a formal context. Example: "After the votes were counted, they were declared the winners of the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They were declared in the normal way.

The Guardian

They were declared dead three minutes later.

The Guardian

They were declared Ebola-free by WHO in October.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were declared dead on arrival at nearby hospitals.

The New York Times

They were declared unsafe and had to be demolished".

The New York Times

Later they were declared to not be virgins.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The business, reliant on Paul's translating, didn't survive and they were declared bankrupt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then they were declared ineligible, and the ladder was pulled away again.

The New York Times - Sports

But they were declared the enemy, and their forces defeated by the Ethiopian invasion.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were declared dead at the scene about 5 50 p.m.

The New York Times

They were declared so exceedingly comfortable that Muji reconfigured its entire sock-manufacturing process to produce them at scale.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly identifies who made the declaration and the basis for it. This adds credibility and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were declared" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "they were declared the winners by the judges", consider "the judges declared them the winners".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were declared" functions as a passive construction indicating an official or formal announcement. Ludwig examples show its widespread use across different contexts, confirming its validity as stated by Ludwig AI. It emphasizes the action performed on the subject rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were declared" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction that signifies an official pronouncement or designation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent appearance in news, science, and encyclopedic sources underscores its widespread acceptance and grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the authority making the declaration. Alternatives such as "they were announced" or "they were deemed" can provide nuance depending on the context. It's a strong choice when emphasizing the action and its impact, maintaining a formal and objective tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were officially named

Replaces "declared" with "officially named", indicating a formal naming or appointment.

they were pronounced to be

Replaces "declared" with "pronounced", emphasizing a formal announcement.

they were deemed to be

Substitutes "declared" with "deemed", implying a judgment or assessment.

it was stated that they were

Changes the structure to an active voice construction with "it was stated".

it has been announced that they are

Uses "announced" instead of "declared" and restructures the sentence.

they were ruled as

Replaces "declared" with "ruled", typically used in legal or official contexts.

they have been designated as

Shifts the tense to present perfect and replaces "declared" with "designated", indicating an ongoing status.

they were recognized as

Substitutes "declared" with "recognized", suggesting acknowledgment of a pre-existing quality.

they were found to be

Uses "found" instead of "declared", implying a discovery or investigation.

a declaration was made that they were

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the act of making a declaration.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they were declared" is used to indicate that a formal announcement or official statement has been made about a group. For example: "After a thorough investigation, they were declared innocent."

What is a good alternative to "they were declared"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "they were announced", "they were proclaimed", or "they were deemed".

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

While "they were declared" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, consider if the active voice might be more direct. For example, "The committee declared them eligible" is more direct than "they were declared eligible by the committee".

What does "they were declared" imply about the situation?

The phrase "they were declared" often implies a formal, official, or legal determination. It suggests that a recognized authority or body has made a pronouncement regarding the status or condition of the group.