they were delivered

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were delivered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to communicate that something has been sent or brought to a particular place. For example: "The supplies were delivered to the hospital yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were delivered yesterday.

The New York Times

They were delivered to her local branch.

The New York Times

(The project collapsed before they were delivered).

The New York Times

On their website it said they were 'Delivered – as instructed'". "Hi Joe.

The Guardian - Money

Moreover, the context in which they were delivered was completely different.

The Guardian - Opinion

Normally speeches go up about three hours after they were delivered.

The Guardian

They were delivered with the directness that Larsson brings to everything she sings.

The Guardian - Music

They would have even more punch if they were delivered just a bit slower.

The New York Times

They were delivered by Kuwaiti and coalition persons on a coalition aircraft.

The New York Times

Even worse, from the producers' point of view, they were delivered from a chair.

The New York Times

They bought two Highland cattle and when they were delivered, one escaped.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were delivered" in contexts where the focus is on the completion of the delivery process, rather than the method of transportation.

Common error

Avoid using "they were delivered" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The courier delivered the package", avoid the passive construction "The package was delivered by the courier" unless the emphasis is intentionally shifted to the package.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were delivered" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group of items or entities underwent the action of being brought to a specific location. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were delivered" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that items or entities have reached their destination. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing many examples from news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, especially when an active voice would be more direct. Consider alternatives like "they arrived" or "they were shipped" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. Avoid overuse and ensure clarity by specifying the subject and recipient whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they arrived

Focuses on the act of reaching a destination, omitting the 'being brought' aspect.

they were transported

Emphasizes the process of moving something from one place to another, suitable when the mode of transport is relevant.

they were shipped

Implies transportation via a shipping service or large-scale delivery operation.

they were dispatched

Suggests that something was sent out for a specific purpose.

they were forwarded

Indicates that something was sent on to a further destination.

they were conveyed

A more formal way of saying 'they were carried' or 'transported'.

they were transferred

Implies a movement from one entity or location to another, often within a system.

they were handed over

Suggests a direct transfer of possession or responsibility.

they were presented

Implies a formal or ceremonial act of giving something.

they reached their destination

Focuses on the completion of the journey to the intended place.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were delivered" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "Someone delivered them", "The courier delivered them", or "We delivered them", depending on who performed the action. This makes the sentence more direct and engaging.

What is the difference between "they were shipped" and "they were delivered"?

"They were shipped" implies transportation, often over a longer distance, using a specific shipping service. "They were delivered" simply means they arrived at their final destination, regardless of the transportation method.

Is it correct to say "they were deliver" instead of "they were delivered"?

No, "they were deliver" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were delivered", which uses the past participle "delivered" to form the passive voice.

In what contexts is it best to use the phrase "they were delivered"?

Use "they were delivered" when you want to emphasize the completion of the delivery process rather than who performed the delivery. It's also useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.