they were eliminated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were eliminated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports, competitions, or any situation where someone or something is removed or disqualified from a group or event. Example: "After the final round of the tournament, they were eliminated from the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were eliminated, eviscerated, emasculated and embarrassed.

The Guardian - Sport

They were eliminated in the first round.

The Guardian - Sport

They were eliminated by a terrible England.

The Guardian - Sport

Three times they were eliminated in the first round.

The New York Times - Sports

They were eliminated in Australia quite some time ago, but a few held out in Tasmania.

Cornell University

That year, they were eliminated in the regional semifinals by North Carolina.

The New York Times - Sports

They were eliminated in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning, four games to one.

The New York Times

Last season, they were eliminated in that round by Marquette, in the Midwest Regional in Minneapolis.

The New York Times - Sports

They were eliminated by Utah in five games in the first round of the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

After they were eliminated, some left a trail of vandalism in their living quarters.

The New York Times - Sports

The firm had designed planters for each front yard, but they were eliminated for budgetary limitations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were eliminated", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was removed and the reason for their removal. For example, specify the competition, round, or selection process.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the pronoun "they" has a clear and explicit antecedent. If the subject is unclear, rephrase the sentence to specify who or what was eliminated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were eliminated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group or entity was subjected to the action of elimination. It's commonly used to report the outcome of a competition or selection process, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were eliminated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote removal or disqualification from a competition, selection, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears commonly across news sources, academic publications, and general writing. While versatile, clarity in pronoun reference is crucial, and alternative phrases like "they were excluded" or "they were removed" can offer nuanced meanings. Ensuring clarity and context will optimize the impact of the phrase in various writing scenarios. It's important to notice that most of the sources are authoritative which confirms the broad acceptance of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were excluded

Replaces "eliminated" with "excluded", emphasizing the act of being kept out.

they were removed

Uses "removed" instead of "eliminated", focusing on the act of taking away.

they were disqualified

Specifically indicates removal due to a violation of rules or standards.

they were ousted

Suggests forceful removal, often from a position of power or influence.

they faced defeat

Focuses on the outcome of losing, which led to their elimination.

they were knocked out

An informal way of saying they were eliminated, especially in sports or competitions.

their chances were nullified

Highlights that their opportunity to proceed was canceled or voided.

they didn't make the cut

An idiomatic expression meaning they didn't qualify or meet the required standard.

they were taken out of the running

Indicates they were removed from consideration or competition.

they were weeded out

Suggests a process of selection where weaker candidates were removed.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were eliminated" to describe a situation where a group or team is removed from a competition, consideration, or selection process. For instance, "After losing the semi-final, "they were eliminated" from the tournament".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were excluded", "they were removed", or "they were disqualified" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "they were eliminated" in formal writing?

Yes, "they were eliminated" is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe the removal of a subject from a process or competition.

What's the difference between "they were eliminated" and "they were defeated"?

"They were eliminated" indicates removal from a competition or process, while "they were defeated" specifically implies losing a contest or battle. For example, "they were defeated" in the final round, so "they were eliminated" from the competition.