they were dismissed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were dismissed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone being sent away or removed from a situation, such as a meeting or a job. Example: "After the meeting concluded, they were dismissed and allowed to leave the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That they were dismissed?

The Guardian - Books

Today, they were dismissed by phone.

Independent

They were dismissed from the Air Force.

The New York Times

They were dismissed late last year.

The New York Times

They were dismissed from the university June 29.

The New York Times - Sports

They were dismissed and are facing state and Federal charges.

The New York Times

The company has not said why they were dismissed.

The New York Times

Frequently they were dismissed by the corporate hierarchy.

The New York Times

Forty workers had messages that they were dismissed.

The New York Times

After Yellow, they were dismissed as inanely happy.

The Guardian - Music

When they finally demanded their back wages, they were dismissed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were dismissed", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were dismissed" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "they were dismissed by the manager", consider "the manager dismissed them" if the actor is known and relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were dismissed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group (represented by "they") underwent the action of being dismissed. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in contexts ranging from employment termination to being rejected from a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were dismissed" is a commonly used passive construction indicating that a group has undergone the action of being dismissed, whether from employment, a team, or a particular situation. Grammatically correct and versatile, it finds frequent application in various contexts, particularly in news and media. As highlighted by Ludwig, its function is to convey removal or rejection, with a neutral register suitable for professional and general discussions alike. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to and to avoid overuse of the passive voice when a more direct, active construction would be preferable. Moreover, Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were fired

Indicates termination of employment; more direct and specific to job contexts.

they were terminated

A more formal synonym for 'they were fired', implying a formal end to employment.

they were discharged

Suggests release from a duty or obligation, often used in military or medical contexts.

they were ousted

Implies being removed from a position of power or authority, often due to controversy or conflict.

they were rejected

Indicates a denial of acceptance or approval, applicable in various situations.

they were excluded

Suggests being left out or prevented from participating.

they were disregarded

Implies being ignored or not taken seriously.

they were written off

Suggests being considered a failure or no longer worth consideration.

they were cast aside

Implies being abandoned or treated as unimportant.

they were scrapped

Indicates that plans or projects were cancelled or abandoned.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were dismissed" to indicate that a group of people were removed from a position, meeting, or other situation. For example, "They were dismissed from the team after the investigation".

What is a formal alternative to "they were dismissed"?

A more formal alternative could be "they were terminated", which is often used in employment contexts to denote a formal end to someone's position.

Which is correct, "they were dismissed" or "they are dismissed"?

"They were dismissed" is past tense, indicating the action has already occurred. "They are dismissed" is present tense, indicating a current or habitual action. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning and the timeline of the event.

What's the difference between "they were dismissed" and "they were fired"?

While both phrases indicate removal, "they were fired" specifically refers to termination of employment, often due to poor performance or misconduct. "They were dismissed" is a broader term that can apply to various situations, not just employment.