they were defeated in the trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were defeated in the trial" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the outcome of a legal proceeding or competition where a party did not win. Example: "Despite their best efforts, they were defeated in the trial, leading to a significant setback for their case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were defeated in other places.

Vice

He was defeated in the primary, anyway.

The New Yorker

Solomon was defeated in the battle.

Wikipedia

She was defeated in the 1940 election.

Wikipedia

Cụt was captured on 13 April 1956 and guillotined after a brief trial and his remaining forces were defeated in battle.

Wikipedia

Labeling initiatives were defeated in California and Washington.

Los Angeles Times

In 1991, his legislation to create such a fund was defeated, in large part by the state's trial lawyers.

The New York Times

The measure was defeated in Parliament.

The New York Times

It was defeated in Houston.

Independent

It was defeated in December.

The New York Times

It was defeated in a national referendum.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they were defeated in the trial", ensure the context clearly establishes who "they" refers to. Providing specific names or group affiliations enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were defeated in the trial" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure the reader knows exactly who experienced the defeat to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were defeated in the trial" functions as a statement indicating the outcome of a trial. It asserts that a specific group or entity (represented by "they") experienced defeat in a trial setting.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were defeated in the trial" is grammatically sound and serves to communicate the result of a trial, indicating a loss for the referenced group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Although examples are limited, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. While no specific usage patterns can be identified, it's crucial to ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent for clarity. Consider alternatives like "they lost the trial" for broader applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they lost the trial

Replaces "defeated" with the more common "lost", maintaining the same core meaning.

they were unsuccessful in the trial

Uses "unsuccessful" as a more formal alternative to "defeated".

they didn't win the trial

Emphasizes the lack of victory rather than the defeat itself.

the trial resulted in their defeat

Restructures the sentence to focus on the trial as the cause of their defeat.

they were the losing party in the trial

Specifies their role as the losing side in a more formal tone.

the verdict went against them in the trial

Focuses on the verdict being unfavorable to them.

they suffered defeat in the trial

Highlights the negative impact of the defeat.

the court ruled against them

Emphasizes the court's decision as the source of their defeat.

they failed to prevail in the trial

Replaces "defeated" with "failed to prevail", indicating a lack of success.

their side lost the case

Shifts the focus to the case being lost, implying their defeat.

FAQs

What does "they were defeated in the trial" mean?

It means that the group or individuals referred to as "they" lost the legal case or competition being described as a trial. It indicates an unfavorable outcome for that party.

What can I say instead of "they were defeated in the trial"?

You can use alternatives like "they lost the trial", "they were unsuccessful in the trial", or "they didn't win the trial", depending on the context.

Is "they were defeated in the trial" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were defeated in the trial" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "they were defeated in the trial"?

It is appropriate in contexts where you want to describe the outcome of a legal battle, competition, or other form of trial where one party experienced a loss. It can be used in news reports, legal documents, historical accounts, and more.