they were defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they were defined" is a correct part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this sentence when referring to a group or set of people, ideas, or things that have been identified or described in some way. For example, "The roles of the volunteers were defined and each one accepted the job privately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They were defined as bad managers overseeing unsuccessful housing.

The New York Times

They were defined by, and proud of, their flagrant weakness".

The Guardian - Books

That said, there was a reason they were defined by their potency up top.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Mills and Mr. Kristol shared the belief that "the elite," however they were defined, wielded disproportionate influence.

The New York Times

The fundamental Chinese goals remain as they were defined by Deng Xiaoping.

The New York Times

III, usage labels appeared far less often; they bore more neutral names, such as "nonstandard" and "substandard"; and they were defined in subtly political terms.

The New Yorker

Although Ralph and Marion were not observant Jews, they were defined by their early life as Jews.

The Guardian

"When I really looked back on the most important, nostalgic parts of my adolescence, they were defined by these songs that happened to be playing at the dance or in the car".

The New York Times

They were defined of course by ambiguity, a refusal of dogmatism that, ideally, opened the path for a carnivalesque collective activism, one that has parallels in certain "interventionist" political art today.

The New York Times - Arts

They were defined as xsi:nil = "true" with proper nilReason.

Open Geospatial Data, Software and Standards

Elitist democracies, as they were defined by Joseph Schumpeter, can fail in only a few years.

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly indicate the source or authority defining "they" when context demands it. For example, "They were defined by the legal statutes of 1987".

Common error

Avoid using "they were defined" without a clear reference for "they". If the subject is ambiguous, rephrase to specify what is being defined to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were defined" functions as a passive construction. It indicates that a group, concept, or entity received a particular definition. It indicates that the subject, 'they', underwent the action of being defined by an external source or set of criteria. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were defined" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a group or concept has been given a specific meaning or understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across a range of domains. This phrase is particularly prevalent in science, news and media. When using the phrase, ensure that the antecedent, “they,” is clear and that the definition's source is provided when necessary. While alternatives such as "they were characterized" or "they were identified" exist, "they were defined" specifically highlights the establishment of a formal or agreed-upon meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their definition was

This is a structural variation that places emphasis on the act of defining, while "they were defined" emphasizes the objects being defined.

they were characterized

This alternative focuses on describing the key attributes or qualities of something, rather than the act of formally defining it.

they were identified

This alternative emphasizes the act of recognizing or pinpointing something specific, rather than providing a comprehensive definition.

they were designated

This option highlights the act of assigning a specific role or purpose, shifting the focus from definition to function.

they were understood as

This suggests a common interpretation or perception, moving away from a strict definition.

they were considered to be

This indicates a judgment or assessment, rather than a formal definition.

they were known as

This alternative emphasizes common knowledge or recognition, rather than a formal definition.

they were labeled

This focuses on assigning a name or category, which is a simpler form of definition.

the defining characteristic was

This focuses on identifying the key attribute of the object instead of a clear definition

the qualities were

This alternative focus is to express what are the qualities of an object instead of its definition

FAQs

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

Use "they were defined" to describe how a group or concept was formally established or understood. For example, "In this context, "they were defined as" essential workers during the pandemic".

What are some alternatives to "they were defined"?

You can use alternatives like "they were characterized", "they were identified", or "they were designated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "they were defined as" or "they are defined as"?

The choice depends on the context's timeframe. Use "they were defined as" when referring to a past definition. Use "they are defined as" when the definition is current or ongoing.

What's the difference between "they were defined" and "they were described"?

"They were defined" suggests a formal or precise establishment of meaning. "They were described" indicates a more general portrayal or account without necessarily implying a strict definition.