they were denounced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were denounced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone being publicly criticized or condemned for their actions or beliefs. Example: "After the scandal broke, they were denounced by several prominent figures in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

They were denounced as "Castilian nationalists" in the Socialist press.

The Economist

If somebody slipped up, she said, they were denounced.

The Guardian

They were denounced across the blogosphere as evidence of chauvinism, bigotry and gross stupidity.

The New York Times

(Christian rites were mocked among the Romans for their vulgarity long before they were denounced for their absurdity).

The New Yorker

Those rules were weakened after they were denounced by banks, supported by their regulators, but they still had some effect.

The New York Times

Upon complaining about these conditions, many black employees say they were denounced, spied on by management or summarily fired.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Gangsta rap used to be a reliable issue for politicians, but they were denouncing it.

The New York Times

They have often proclaimed that they, not whichever prime minister they were denouncing at the time as a treacherous sell-out, represented the authentic voices of the people of Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

" 'Malik Urvi' is the art of these kind of anti-Communists who showed the same hate the Communists showed when they were denouncing people," said Mr. Patocka, the editor.

The New York Times - Arts

When not failing in their effort to sabotage nuclear nonproliferation negotiations, they were denouncing the Indiana and Arkansas legislatures for undermining their so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Acts by adding clarifying language.

Huffington Post

They were denouncing Egypt's governing Military Council for its resistance to real change since the Spring uprising (and toppling of ex-President Hosni Mubarak) and especially for its presiding over the recent vicious targeting of female protestors by male soldiers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were denounced", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the denouncing and why. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

While "they were denounced" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using the active voice where appropriate to make your sentences more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "they were denounced", you could write "critics denounced them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were denounced" functions as a passive construction, where the subject "they" receives the action of being denounced. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. The examples show how it describes a state of being publicly condemned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were denounced" is a commonly used phrase to describe a situation where a group has faced strong public criticism or condemnation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the denouncing and why. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, consider using the active voice for more direct and engaging sentences. Alternatives include "they were criticized" or "they were condemned", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were condemned

This alternative emphasizes a strong disapproval or judgment, similar to being denounced.

they were criticized

This alternative suggests disapproval but may not carry the same weight of moral condemnation as "denounced".

they were censured

Censured implies a formal reprimand, often within an organization or institution.

they were rebuked

Rebuked suggests a sharp disapproval or scolding.

they were vilified

This alternative indicates that they were spoken about in an abusive or disparaging way.

they were ostracized

Ostracized means that they were excluded from a society or group.

they were shunned

Shunned implies deliberate avoidance and exclusion.

they were reproached

Reproached indicates mild to strong disapproval or disappointment.

they faced criticism

This alternative highlights that they received disapproving comments.

they were slammed

Slammed is an informal way of saying they were heavily criticized.

FAQs

What does "they were denounced" mean?

The phrase "they were denounced" means that a group of people faced strong public criticism or condemnation. It implies a formal or widespread disapproval of their actions or beliefs.

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

You can use "they were denounced" to describe situations where a group has been publicly criticized. For example, "After the controversial decision, "they were denounced" by human rights organizations".

What are some alternatives to "they were denounced"?

Some alternatives to "they were denounced" include "they were criticized", "they were condemned", or "they were censured". The best choice depends on the specific context and the intensity of the disapproval you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing criticism?

Both active and passive voice can be effective, depending on the focus. Passive voice ("they were denounced") emphasizes the recipients of the criticism, while active voice ("critics denounced them") emphasizes the source of the criticism. Choose the voice that best suits your narrative goals.