they were dissociated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were dissociated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing psychological states, experiences, or conditions where individuals feel disconnected from themselves or their surroundings. Example: "During the traumatic event, they were dissociated, unable to fully comprehend what was happening around them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Human NPCctx or NPCctx-GDNF were grown as neurospheres for approximately 39 population doublings (Figure 1A), at which time they were dissociated and analyzed for growth factor release.

Plosone

Therefore, when placed in vitro PCs spontaneously reinitiate neuritic development according to a preferential elongating or arborizing pattern that reflects the embryonic or postnatal age when they were dissociated.

Plosone

They were dissociated in single-cell suspension each week with a renewal of two third of their culture medium.

BMC Cancer

When the cells had been differentiated for 20 to 55 days, they were dissociated into single cells.

BioMed Research International

Tissue pieces were incubated in proteolytic enzymes for 24 h before they were dissociated by trituration with a narrowed Pasteur pipette.

Cell Death and Disease

When the colonies increased in size, they were dissociated with collagenase IV (1 mg/ml; Invitrogen) until the establishment of epiSCs after about 10 passages.

Cell Stem Cell

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

H2 molecules penetrate through the porous graphite contact to the surface of the semiconductor where they are dissociated to hydrogen atoms due to the catalytic effect of the present Pd NPs.

Nanoscale Research Letters

He suddenly sees Tyler in his room, and Tyler reveals that they are dissociated personalities in the same body.

Wikipedia

We show that spheres can be dissociated and can continue to grow for five passages, as long as they are dissociated before the sphere becomes cystic.

BMC Biotechnology

The study revealed the following: (i) NCAM interacts with all major NCAN domains in almost similar manner; (ii) NCAN active domains are not able to inhibit NCAM if they are dissociated from each other.

BioMed Research International

In a tissue that is composed of many cell types, specific antibodies are usually necessary to identify these cell types when they are dissociated in vitro; and if one wants to study the cells live, such antibodies must recognise cell surface antigens and yet not interfere with cell function.

Development (Cambridge)

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were dissociated" in scientific writing, ensure the context clearly specifies what "they" refers to (e.g., cells, molecules, concepts) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were dissociated" in informal or general writing where simpler alternatives like "they were separated" or "they were disconnected" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were dissociated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject (they) underwent the action of being separated or broken apart. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is common in scientific literature, referring to separation at a cellular or molecular level.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

90%

News & Media

4%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were dissociated" is a grammatically sound phrase primarily used in scientific contexts to describe the separation of components, whether cells, molecules, or concepts. Ludwig AI confirms this common usage. While versatile, it's best reserved for formal, technical writing. Simpler alternatives such as "they were separated" or "they were disconnected" may be more suitable for general audiences. Remember to ensure clarity by explicitly defining what "they" refers to, especially in scientific contexts. The phrase carries a formal tone due to its presence in scientific literature, so avoid overusing it in non-scientific content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were separated

Focuses on the physical act of being moved apart.

they were detached

Emphasizes a lack of emotional or physical connection.

they were disconnected

Highlights a broken link or absence of connection.

they were isolated

Implies being set apart or segregated from others.

they were uncoupled

Suggests a release from a previous connection or coupling.

they were segregated

Implies a forced separation, often with negative connotations.

they were cleaved

Suggests a sharp division or splitting apart.

they were resolved

Indicates a breaking up into component parts or solutions.

they were fragmented

Highlights the state of being broken into smaller pieces.

they were decomposed

Suggests a breaking down into simpler elements, often in a biological context.

FAQs

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

This phrase is typically used in scientific contexts to describe the separation of components. For example, "The cells "were dissociated" before analysis."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were separated", "they were detached", or "they were disconnected" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "they were dissociated"?

This phrase is most appropriate in scientific or technical contexts when describing the separation of cells, molecules, or concepts. In more general contexts, phrases like "they were separated" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "they were dissociated" and "they were separated"?

"They were dissociated" often implies a more forceful or technical separation, especially in a scientific setting. "They were separated" is a more general term for being moved apart.