they were dissolved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were dissolved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something, such as a group, organization, or substance, has been officially ended or broken down. Example: "After years of operation, the committee was no longer effective, and they were dissolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Perchlorates are salts, and if they were dissolved in high enough concentrations in water, the resulting brine would be a liquid at Martian surface temperatures.

The New York Times - Science

Shares on Tokyo's broader Topix index now trade below their book value, meaning prices are less than what the companies would fetch if they were dissolved and their parts sold.

The New York Times

Judith Wright, a chemist whose Richland, Wash., company, PIMS NW, supplies the bone meal, said that while the lead and phosphate could bond instantly if they were dissolved, the process might take a few weeks in the ground.

The New York Times - Science

Shares on Tokyo's broader Topix index long traded below their book value, meaning that prices were less than what the companies would fetch if they were dissolved and their parts sold off.

The New York Times

They were dissolved in methanol to form a mixed solution with a designed doping ion concentration.

Thin Solid Films

They were dissolved together in xylene at a density of 3.5 wt.%.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

No one knows, but it is unlikely they were dissolving red ocher in their hands.

The New York Times

Amylin, a San Diego biotechnology company, and Lilly announced Tuesday morning that they were dissolving their strained alliance over the diabetes drug exenatide, with all rights to the drug reverting to Amylin.

The New York Times

We ran into each other at a party, started talking about our bands and how they were dissolving and talked casually like you would, late night at a party, about starting a new band.

Huffington Post

In some biopsy samples taken from the centre of larger masses, the high degree of autolysis was obvious, because they were dissolving on the needle.

BMC Veterinary Research

Some pesticides may cause cancer not because the chemicals in themselves are carcinogenic but because the petroleum distillates in which they are dissolved or suspended may be carcinogenic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were dissolved" in scientific contexts, specify the solvent or medium in which the dissolution occurred to provide clarity and precision. E.g., "They were dissolved in distilled water".

Common error

Avoid using "they were dissolved" when a more specific term like "decomposed", "liquefied", or "disintegrated" would provide a more accurate description of the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were dissolved" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subjects (they) underwent a process of dissolution. This construction shifts the focus from the actor to the recipients of the action. Ludwig provides many examples from varied contexts confirming this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were dissolved" is a grammatically sound passive construction commonly used to describe a process of breaking down or terminating something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, indicating its versatility and correctness. When writing, it's important to consider the specific context and choose the most appropriate alternative if a more descriptive term is needed. Overall, "they were dissolved" is a reliable and widely understood phrase for conveying dissolution or termination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were disintegrated

Focuses on the complete breaking apart or destruction of something.

they were terminated

Implies a formal ending or cessation, often for groups or organizations.

they were converted into solution

Indicates the process of turning something into a solution.

they were broken up

Suggests a separation into smaller parts, often used for groups or compounds.

they were brought to an end

Emphasizes the finality of the termination.

they were decomposed

Refers to the natural process of decay or rotting.

they were resolved into

Focuses on breaking down components into simpler substances.

they were put to rest

Suggests a final resolution or conclusion.

they were liquefied

Indicates a change of state into a liquid form, often through heating.

they were made liquid

Simple expression meaning change of state into a liquid.

FAQs

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

Use "they were dissolved" to indicate that something has been broken down or terminated, either physically or figuratively. For instance, "The sugar crystals were dissolved in the water" or "The committee was dissolved due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "they were dissolved"?

You can use alternatives like "they were disintegrated", "they were terminated", or "they were broken up" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they are dissolved" instead of "they were dissolved"?

The choice between "they are dissolved" and "they were dissolved" depends on the timing. Use "they are dissolved" for present tense, like "The solids are dissolved in the solution now". Use "they were dissolved" for past tense, like "The solids were dissolved yesterday".

In what contexts is "they were dissolved" most appropriate?

"They were dissolved" is particularly appropriate in scientific contexts (describing chemical processes) and in formal or business settings (describing the termination of groups or organizations).