they were despatched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were despatched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to the sending or dispatching of items, messages, or people. Example: "The packages were carefully prepared and they were despatched to the customers early in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And it should have developed a better system to track its assets after they were despatched.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All three have to work out on a special cycling treadmill, then they are despatched out into the field.

The Guardian - Film

The District Offices then check, verify and endorse the returns before they are despatched to the Federal Forest Department in shuttle returns as detailed in Table 5.

FAO

Between the 1920s and the 1960s as many as 150,000 young children were despatched to institutions and foster homes abroad so that they might begin happier lives in the under-populated Commonwealth.

The Guardian

Reporters were despatched to Newquay to interview Taylor and Pollard.

The Guardian - Tech

The letters were despatched by a private hire cab firm.

Independent

Another plane and crew were despatched to take the passengers on to Bogotá.

The Guardian

However, the Filbert Street feelgood factor was in full effect and United were despatched 1-0 with Melrose again the scorer.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Raffarin promptly summoned television reporters to express his sorrow; ministers were despatched with wreaths to the crash site.

The Economist

Torture was institutionalised, secret detention centres operated into which detainees disappeared never to be seen again, and murder squads were despatched to kill prominent dissidents abroad.

The Guardian

Detectives were despatched from Moscow and several arrests made.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were despatched" when emphasizing the action of sending rather than the sender. This is especially useful in formal reports or when the sender is unknown or irrelevant.

Common error

Avoid using "they were despatched" when you need to emphasize who sent the items. In such cases, active voice is preferred: "The company despatched the goods."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were despatched" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of items or people underwent the action of being sent or dispatched. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

21%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

19%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were despatched" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that items or people have been sent. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, media, wiki and science. While alternatives like "they were sent" exist, "they were despatched" adds a layer of formality. Writers should use "they were despatched" when the act of sending is more important than the sender, and in contexts where a neutral or slightly formal tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were sent

Direct synonym, replacing 'despatched' with 'sent'.

they were dispatched

A more formal synonym of 'despatched'.

they were shipped

Focuses on transportation, suitable for items/goods.

they were forwarded

Suggests transmission to a subsequent destination.

they were conveyed

Implies a formal or official manner of sending.

they were transmitted

Suitable for sending signals or information.

they were released

Indicates a controlled sending or freeing.

they were directed

Highlights the element of instruction in sending.

they were routed

Emphasizes the path or procedure of sending.

they were moved

A general term for relocation or transfer.

FAQs

What does "they were despatched" mean?

The phrase "they were despatched" means that a group of items or people were sent off to a particular destination or for a specific purpose. It implies an official or organized sending.

What can I say instead of "they were despatched"?

You can use alternatives like "they were sent", "they were shipped", or "they were dispatched" depending on the context.

Is "they were despatched" formal or informal?

"They were despatched" is considered a more formal way of saying "they were sent". It's suitable for official reports, news articles, and business communications.

When should I use "they were despatched" over "they were sent"?

Use "they were despatched" when you want to add a sense of formality or importance to the act of sending. "They were sent" is more neutral and can be used in everyday conversation.