they were displayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were displayed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to items or information that have been shown or exhibited in a particular context. Example: "The artworks were displayed in the gallery for the entire month of June."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

They were displayed in Europe in 1945.

The New Yorker

They were displayed in advertisements declaring that "the town houses of 1930 have plenty of sunshine".

The New York Times

They were displayed all over the world, including Hiroshima, Croatia and Lausanne.

The Guardian

The space where they were displayed will now be used to sell paperbacks and hardbacks.

Independent

Back in Italy the ruins are in decay, here they were displayed in all their freshness of instant destruction.

Independent

They were displayed as part of Spain's famous Republican pavilion, for which Picasso painted his now legendary "Guernica" mural.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"They were displaying and showcasing and battling … It was like a soap opera for me".

The Guardian - Music

It was not the character they were displaying on the floor during a meaningless preseason game or their body language.

The New York Times - Sports

She went commercial two years ago when Hupmobile hired her to lecture about models they were displaying at Chicago Automobile Show.

The New Yorker

However they were displaying inappropriate behaviour while sunning their babies for health reasons.

BMC Pediatrics

Here they are displayed as if extinct.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were displayed", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to. For example, "The artifacts were displayed in the museum." Using a specific subject will reduce ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were displayed" without clearly defining what "they" refers to. This can lead to confusion and ambiguity for the reader. Always ensure the noun or noun phrase is clear and present in the prior context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were displayed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject (represented by "they") underwent the action of being displayed. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were displayed" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the presentation of items or information for viewing. According to Ludwig, its high frequency across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, points to its widespread acceptability and utility. While generally neutral to formal, clarity is key: always ensure the antecedent of "they" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""they were exhibited"" or ""they were showcased"" for nuanced emphasis. In short, the phrase serves effectively to communicate that something was presented for observation, with the examples provided by Ludwig reinforcing its consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were exhibited

Replaces "displayed" with the synonym "exhibited", implying a formal showing.

they were showcased

Uses "showcased" instead of "displayed", suggesting a presentation highlighting the best features.

they were presented

Substitutes "displayed" with "presented", implying a formal introduction or offering.

they were put on view

Replaces "displayed" with the more descriptive phrase "put on view".

they were on exhibit

Uses a slightly different structure, but retains the core meaning of being shown.

they were unveiled

Implies a revealing or first-time showing, adding a sense of novelty.

they were revealed

Similar to "unveiled", but can also refer to the disclosure of information.

they were exposed

Suggests uncovering something that was previously hidden.

they could be seen

Focuses on the ability to view the items, rather than the act of displaying.

they were arranged

Emphasizes the manner in which the items were set up for viewing.

FAQs

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

"They were displayed" is used to indicate that items were presented or exhibited for viewing. For example, "The historical documents "they were displayed" in the library's exhibit."

What are some alternatives to "they were displayed"?

Alternatives include "they were exhibited", "they were showcased", or "they were presented", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they were display" instead of "they were displayed"?

No, "they were display" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "they were displayed", where "displayed" is the past participle of the verb "display".

What is the difference between "they were displayed" and "they are displayed"?

"They were displayed" indicates that the displaying action happened in the past, while "they are displayed" indicates that the displaying action is currently happening.