they were detected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were detected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the discovery or identification of something or someone, often in contexts related to surveillance, research, or security. Example: "After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that they were detected by the surveillance cameras."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Table 3 compares the screen-detected cancers according to the modality with which they were detected.

British Journal of Cancer

Some were nearing bankruptcy when they were detected, she said.

The New York Times

He was awarded the Nobel prize after they were detected.

The Economist

And once they were detected, we could warn people.

The New York Times

Happily, they were detected before they went off.Yet it need not be like this.

The Economist

We know of these fakes because they were detected, but you can't help but think they are only the tip of an iceberg.

The New York Times

If they were detected, another of Einstein's predictions could be confirmed.Further experiments are testing gravity in space.

The Economist

Then they were detected with SDS-PAGE.

AMB Express

They were detected only 10 to 17 times.

Rice

Finally, they were detected using chemiluminescence X-ray film.

Nanoscale Research Letters

They were detected as having the highest FD factors.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were detected", ensure the context clearly indicates the method or means of detection to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were detected" without specifying who or what "they" refers to. Always ensure the subject is clear from the preceding context or explicitly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were detected" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject ('they') underwent the action of being detected. Ludwig examples show this phrase used across different domains, especially in science and news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were detected" is a commonly used passive voice construction that indicates the discovery or identification of something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, especially in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and the method of detection. Alternatives like "they were identified" or "they were discovered" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase is versatile, functioning to report findings and observations in a neutral to formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing or classifying something specifically.

they were discovered

Implies finding something previously unknown or hidden.

they were found

A more general term for locating something.

they were noticed

Suggests something became apparent or attracted attention.

they were observed

Emphasizes a deliberate or scientific act of watching and noting something.

they were spotted

Informal way of saying they were seen or noticed quickly.

they were revealed

Implies that something previously concealed has become known.

their presence was noted

A more formal and passive way to indicate awareness of their existence.

their existence came to light

Indicates that information about them became public or known.

they came to be known

Focuses on the process of becoming recognized or understood.

FAQs

What does "they were detected" mean?

The phrase "they were detected" means that something or someone was discovered, noticed, or identified, often through a specific method or technology. The meaning depends on the context.

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

Use "they were detected" when you want to indicate the discovery or identification of something. For example, "The anomalies "they were detected" by the sensors."

Which is a more formal alternative to "they were detected"?

A more formal alternative could be "they were identified" or "their presence was noted", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "they were detected" and "they were discovered"?

"They were detected" implies a method or technology was used for finding something, while "they were discovered" suggests a more general finding, potentially without a specific detection method.