they were emitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were emitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is released or sent out, such as light, sound, or gases. Example: "The gases were emitted from the factory's exhaust system, contributing to air pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Photons would take the same paths as if they were emitted from the foci.

University of California, Berkeley

The fairly arbitrary convention when comparing the various greenhouse gases is to consider their total warming effect (or 'global warming potential') during the century after they were emitted.

The Guardian

He also contributed greatly to the study of cathode rays; in 1876 he showed that these rays could cast sharp shadows, and that they were emitted perpendicular to the cathode surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The circular arcs in this figure represent cross sections through spherical disturbances that are spreading with speed Vs from centres (S′, S″, etc)., which mark the position of the moving source S at the time when they were emitted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If they were emitted by multiple, independent sources, their temporal relationship should be unrestricted.

Plosone

Calls produced during each experimental block were visually counted in Audition 2.0, and the time during the block (i.e., 0 180 s) that they were emitted was noted.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was as if they were emitting their own soft, green glow.

University of California, Berkeley

The sick men just moaned, they clearly had no control over the sounds they were emitting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Early on, instead of scrutinizing data on emissions, European regulators trusted companies to tell them how much greenhouse gas they were emitting.

The New York Times - Science

That meant they were emitting toxic gases up to 40 times above permitted levels.

BBC

In particular, the researchers estimated the rate of growth of the black holes from the amounts of radiation they were emitting.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were emitted" in contexts where you want to emphasize the process of something being released or discharged from a source. This is particularly useful in scientific, environmental, or technical writing where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "they were emitted" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "they came from" or "they were released" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were emitted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that 'they' (some substance, signal, etc.) underwent the action of being discharged or released. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts where passive voice is appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were emitted" is a grammatically sound passive construction typically used in formal and scientific contexts. According to Ludwig, it serves to describe the discharge or release of substances or signals from a source. While grammatically correct and usable, remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required. In more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "they were released" or "they came from" might be more appropriate. The phrase's presence in authoritative sources like Encyclopedia Britannica, The Guardian, and The New York Times underscores its reliability in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were released

Replaces "emitted" with a more general term for sending something out.

they were discharged

Implies a more forceful or deliberate release, often of fluids or energy.

they were radiated

Specifically refers to the emission of energy in the form of waves or particles.

they were generated

Focuses on the creation or production of something before it is sent out.

they originated

Shifts the focus to the starting point or source of the emission.

they were expelled

Suggests a forceful ejection or driving out of something.

they were diffused

Implies a spreading out or scattering of something that was emitted.

they were propagated

Focuses on the spreading or transmission of something, like a signal or wave.

they were ejected

Similar to expelled, but may imply a more mechanical or sudden action.

they were transmitted

Indicates the transfer of something, often information or energy, from one point to another.

FAQs

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

Use "they were emitted" to describe the process of something being discharged or released from a source, such as "The pollutants "they were emitted" from the factory" or "The signals "they were emitted" by the device".

What are some alternatives to "they were emitted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they were released", "they were discharged", or "they originated from".

Is "they were emitted" formal or informal?

"They were emitted" leans towards the more formal side. For informal contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "they came from" or "they were sent out".

What is the difference between "they were emitted" and "they were released"?

While both phrases indicate a discharge, ""they were emitted"" often implies a more technical or scientific context, focusing on the process of emission, whereas "they were released" is more general and can apply to a broader range of situations.