they were developed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were developed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the creation or evolution of something, such as a product, idea, or technology, in the past. Example: "The new software features were developed over several months to enhance user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— when they were developed.

The New York Times - Tech

They were developed by Genentech and Roche.

Cornell University

They were developed for that purpose".

The Guardian

They were developed at Biogen, discovered at Biogen.

Cornell University

They were developed in the mid 1950s [S.C.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

Funding agencies would commit to purchase viable vaccines if and when they were developed.

Princeton University

They were developed by James R. Ault, the adventurous botanist at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

The New York Times

Hardly new technology, they were developed in South Africa in the 1970s.

The New York Times

They were developed from three-eights Brahma, five-eights Shorthorn cross.

The New Yorker

They were developed after years of work by the F.B.I., and everyone knows it".

The New York Times

Green Zebras are as well, even though they were developed in the 1980's.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were developed" in the passive voice to emphasize the object or product rather than the developer. For example, "The vaccines were developed to combat the new strain."

Common error

Avoid rewriting the sentence in active voice if the focus should remain on what was developed. For instance, instead of "Scientists developed the new algorithm", use "The new algorithm was developed by scientists" if the algorithm is the primary subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were developed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject underwent a process of creation or evolution. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is used to describe the origin or formation of various entities, from technologies to policies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were developed" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the creation or evolution of various entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in scientific, academic, and news contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. While many alternatives exist, such as "they were created" or "they originated", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use the passive voice intentionally to emphasize the object of development, and avoid unnecessary shifts to the active voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were created

Emphasizes the act of creation, suitable when highlighting the creative process.

they were designed

Highlights the intention and planning behind the creation.

they originated

Focuses on the point of origin or beginning of something.

they were invented

Specifically refers to the creation of something new, often technological.

they were conceived

Focuses on the initial idea or concept behind something.

they were formed

Focuses on the process of coming into being, often used for abstract concepts or natural phenomena.

they were produced

Emphasizes the manufacturing or output of something.

they were made

A more general term for creation or construction.

they were established

Highlights the founding or setting up of something.

their genesis was

Uses a more formal and abstract term for origin or beginning.

FAQs

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

Use "they were developed" when you want to emphasize the object or product's creation rather than the creator. For instance, "The guidelines "were developed" to ensure consistency".

What are some alternatives to "they were developed"?

You can use alternatives such as "they originated", "they were created", or "they were designed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "they were developed"?

The passive voice is appropriate when you want to focus on the object that was developed, rather than the person or group who developed it. If the focus is on the developers, use the active voice instead.

What is the difference between "they were developed" and "they developed"?

"They developed" is active voice, focusing on the subject doing the developing. "They were developed" is passive voice, focusing on the object being developed. For example, "They developed the software" versus "The software "was developed by them"".