they were disqualified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were disqualified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to individuals or teams that have been removed from a competition or event due to not meeting certain criteria or rules. Example: "After the review of the evidence, it was determined that they were disqualified from the tournament for violating the rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

On Tuesday they were disqualified for false starts.

The New York Times - Sports

Businesses could still appeal any time they were disqualified from receiving a contract.

The New York Times

Cena actually looked like he had the match won before The Authority intervened and they were disqualified.

Independent

Gurney pushed the car to the finish, but they were disqualified because cars had to finish the race under their own power.

The New York Times - Sports

His cause was helped by the fact the US fluffed their last changeover, which set them well back and subsequently meant they were disqualified.

Independent

Benítez was manager of Valencia when they were disqualified from the Copa del Rey having played too many non-EU players during a tie against Novelda in 2001.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

And they also stopped well short of saying that his remarks were so offensive they were disqualifying for a Presidential aspirant.

The New Yorker

I hope they are disqualified.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Aguilar asked that because the purported offending conduct was primarily committed, encouraged or tolerated by the chairman and the president, they be disqualified from participating except as witnesses.

The New York Times - Arts

Players then have five minutes to get to the tee before they are disqualified, and Johnson made it with six seconds to spare.

The New York Times - Sports

A loose coalition of reformers, moderates, and centrists hopes to flood the field with candidates, so that even if they are disqualified in large numbers many of them can still compete.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were disqualified", ensure that the reason for disqualification is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, "They were disqualified due to a technical violation."

Common error

Avoid using "they was disqualified". The correct form uses "were" with the plural pronoun "they".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were disqualified" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a group (represented by "they") experienced the action of being disqualified. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing removal from a competition or event due to rule violations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were disqualified" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a group has been removed from a competition or event due to a violation of rules or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and wiki sources, demonstrating its neutral to slightly formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the reason for the disqualification. Alternative phrases, such as "they were eliminated" or "they were excluded", may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were excluded

Focuses on the act of being kept out or prevented from participating.

they were eliminated

Implies removal from a competition, often due to poor performance.

they were ruled out

Suggests that a possibility or option was deemed unviable.

they were deemed ineligible

Highlights the lack of qualification or suitability based on specific criteria.

they were barred

Indicates a formal prohibition or restriction.

they were suspended

Implies a temporary removal, often with the possibility of reinstatement.

they were rejected

Focuses on the denial of acceptance or approval.

they were dismissed

Implies a formal removal from a position or role.

they were overturned

Suggests a previous decision was reversed.

they were ousted

Implies being forced out of a position or place.

FAQs

How to use "they were disqualified" in a sentence?

Use "they were disqualified" to describe a situation where a team or group of individuals has been removed from a competition or event for violating the rules. For example, "After the investigation, "they were disqualified" from the tournament."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were eliminated", "they were excluded", or "they were deemed ineligible depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were disqualified" or "they was disqualified"?

"They were disqualified" is the correct form. "They" is a plural pronoun, so it requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were". Using "they was disqualified" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when someone says "they were disqualified"?

When someone says "they were disqualified", it means that a team or group of individuals has been removed from a competition or event due to violating rules, regulations, or standards of conduct. The specific reasons for disqualification can vary widely.