they were desired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were desired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something was wanted or wished for by others in a past context. Example: "In the community, they were desired for their unique skills and talents that contributed to the group's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The more the hedge funds charged and the more exclusive they were, the more they were desired.

The New York Times

He also oversaw some voting reform measures, including the provision of funds to purchase voting machines in areas where they were desired.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The leaders, when we left, they were desiring that we do bad here.

The New York Times - Sports

Lions are already deemed exotic, powerful, and iconic and so they are desired.

The Guardian

Like many people who assume that they are desired, Thelma is contemptuous of those who love her.

The New Yorker

On this view, knowledge and pleasure and so on are valuable when they are desired, and if they are not desired anymore they are not valuable anymore.

SEP

The Mercedes and BMW, the VW Golf, Jetta and Passat are pure German, but they are desired around the world.

Forbes

Objective accounts identify self-interest with the possession of states (such as virtue or knowledge) that are valued independently of whether they are desired.

SEP

Nanoparticles may be exhaled as a result of their small size; however, they are desired to enhance the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Once this has been achieved, the horns are turned, twisted and bent in the direction in which they are desired to grow: being rotated and bent forward for a forward curved growth (Fig. 6a).

Pastoralism

The concept behind IA is that signals can be designed in such a way that they cast overlapping shadows at the receivers where they constitute interference and remain distinguishable at the receivers where they are desired.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they were desired", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what held the desire. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were desired" without specifying who did the desiring. Always make the subject of desire clear within the context to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were desired" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group or entity was the recipient of desire. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were desired" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that a subject was wanted or valued by others. Analysis by Ludwig AI shows its widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, clarity is key: specify who held the desire to avoid ambiguity. For more formal tones, consider alternatives like "they were sought after" or "they were esteemed". Ultimately, understanding the nuances of this phrase ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were in demand

Replaces 'desired' with 'in demand', focusing on popularity and necessity.

they were sought after

Substitutes 'desired' with 'sought after', emphasizing active pursuit.

they were coveted

Replaces 'desired' with 'coveted', highlighting envy and strong wanting.

they were in vogue

Changes 'desired' to 'in vogue', focusing on current fashion or trend.

they were appreciated

Replaces 'desired' with 'appreciated', emphasizing gratitude and recognition of value.

they were favored

Substitutes 'desired' with 'favored', highlighting preference and selection.

they were prized

Replaces 'desired' with 'prized', emphasizing high value and cherish.

they were esteemed

Changes 'desired' to 'esteemed', focusing on respect and high regard.

they were well-regarded

Substitutes 'desired' with 'well-regarded', highlighting positive opinion and reputation.

they were longed for

Replaces 'desired' with 'longed for', emphasizing yearning and strong wanting over time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were desired" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "they were sought after" or "they were esteemed". These alternatives convey a sense of high regard and active pursuit.

What's the difference between "they were desired" and "they were needed"?

"They were desired" implies a want or wish, often driven by attraction or preference. In contrast, "they were needed" suggests a requirement or necessity, indicating a crucial role or function.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they were desired by everyone"?

Yes, "they were desired by everyone" is grammatically correct. The phrase clearly indicates that the subject (they) was wanted or wished for by all individuals (everyone).

Can "they were desired" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "they were desired" can describe abstract concepts like qualities, skills, or outcomes, as long as the context makes it clear what is doing the desiring. For example, "These qualities were desired in a leader".