they were disturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were disturbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being upset, unsettled, or troubled by something. Example: "After hearing the news, they were disturbed and needed time to process their feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But they were disturbed by Berman's effect on him.

The New Yorker

The carcasses had been buried but the spores survived 140 years until they were disturbed.

The New York Times

The legislators said they were disturbed by the company's "lack of action".

The New York Times

Most said they were disturbed by the appointment of an ombudsman with wide-reaching authority.

The New York Times

They were disturbed about what was happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan, that Muslims were being killed.

The New York Times

Of course, there were some outside the building who said they were disturbed by the attacks.

The New York Times

Others said they were disturbed that the Boy Scouts could now legally discriminate.

The New York Times

A statement released by festival organisers said they were "disturbed" by his statements.

Independent

They were disturbed when they found renovations that destroyed the integrity of the original construction.

The New York Times

But officials said they were disturbed by how events have unfolded since then.

The New York Times

They were disturbed to be turned down because of "something we could do nothing about," Ms. O'Hara-Baker said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were disturbed", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused their disturbance. Specificity strengthens the impact.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining who "they" refers to. Ensure the antecedent is easily identifiable within the sentence or surrounding context. Instead of just saying "they", specify who you are talking about. For example: "The residents were disturbed by the noise."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were disturbed" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of the subject ("they"). This phrase typically conveys that a group of people experienced a feeling of unease, worry, or upset, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were disturbed" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey that a group of people experienced unease, worry, or upset. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various professional communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to and specify the cause of their disturbance to maximize impact. Alternatives like "they were concerned" or "they felt uneasy" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were concerned

This phrase indicates a feeling of worry or anxiety, focusing on their care and attention to the matter.

they felt unsettled

This alternative suggests a feeling of unease or lack of peace, emphasizing a disruption in their emotional state.

they were worried

This alternative directly conveys a state of anxiety or apprehension.

they were uneasy

Similar to 'unsettled', this describes a lack of comfort or security, highlighting a feeling of apprehension.

they felt troubled

This alternative emphasizes a sense of worry or concern, highlighting a negative emotional impact.

they were bothered

This alternative suggests a feeling of annoyance or irritation, implying a disruption to their peace of mind.

they were alarmed

This option implies a sense of sudden fear or anxiety, suggesting a more intense reaction.

they were disquieted

This more formal alternative implies a loss of tranquility or peace of mind, suggesting a deeper sense of unease.

they disapproved

This conveys a negative judgment or disagreement, focusing on their lack of approval rather than their emotional state.

they took exception

A more formal way of expressing disagreement or objection, suggesting a strong feeling of disapproval.

FAQs

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

Use "they were disturbed" to express that a group of people felt upset or uneasy about something. For example, "The audience "they were disturbed" by the graphic content of the film".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were concerned", "they felt uneasy", or "they were troubled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they was disturbed"?

No, the correct form is "they were disturbed". "Were" is the plural past tense form of "to be", which agrees with the plural pronoun "they".

What's the difference between "they were disturbed" and "they were disrupted"?

"They were disturbed" suggests an emotional or mental unease, while "they were disrupted" means their activity was interrupted. For example, ""they were disturbed" by the offensive language", but "their meeting was disrupted by the fire alarm".