they were endorsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were endorsed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone or something that has received approval or support from an authority or influential figure. Example: "After a thorough review, they were endorsed by the committee for their innovative project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They were endorsed by 192 countries, including the United States, Brazil and South Africa.

The New York Times

Grant ignored Thomas's objections until they were endorsed by Gen. William "Baldy" Smith, whom Grant deeply respected.

The New York Times

Few people assumed that goals so lacking in controversy that they were endorsed by every member nation could possibly be fulfilled.

The New Yorker

Instead, they were endorsed and advocated by today's high priests, the technocrats, who sincerely believed they were acting in the common good.

The New York Times

The 19-year-old model re-captioned dozens of pictures with details of how they were endorsed, paid for or sponsored to demonstrate that social media "is not real life".

Independent

Today we know that both of these were pseudo-sciences, but in their day they were endorsed by some of the leading figures of the age.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Maybe they were endorsing him to move him on down the road.

The New York Times

A group of some 30 left-wingers announced that they were endorsing Fox in spite of their philosophical differences.

The New York Times - Magazine

It wasn't until last week that officials in the Obama Administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were endorsing a "transition" — that is, Saleh's exit.

The New Yorker

Organizers of the horse campaign say hundreds of people were duped into signing the marriage petition when they thought they were endorsing a horse-slaughter ban.

The New York Times

When the House endorsed the existing multistakeholder Internet governance model, it should be noted that W3C was precisely what they were endorsing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were endorsed", ensure that the context clearly indicates who provided the endorsement and the basis for it. This adds credibility and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "they were endorsed" without specifying the endorser. Saying "the guidelines were endorsed" is less effective than saying "the guidelines were endorsed by the World Health Organization".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were endorsed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received approval or support. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrasing signifies the action of being supported by an external entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were endorsed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that signifies approval or support from an external entity. Ludwig AI indicates that it functions as a passive voice construction, effectively conveying validation. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communications, with a register ranging from neutral to professional. While grammatically correct, the phrase's impact is maximized when explicitly stating who offered the endorsement. Considering alternatives like "they received approval" or "they gained support" can add nuance to your writing. This makes "they were endorsed" a versatile and reliable tool for expressing agreement and validation in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they received approval

Focuses on the act of receiving official permission or agreement.

they gained support

Emphasizes the acquisition of backing or advocacy from others.

they were sanctioned

Implies official authorization or permission, often by a governing body.

they were validated

Highlights the confirmation of their accuracy, truth, or value.

they were ratified

Indicates formal confirmation or approval, often through a vote or legal process.

they were backed

Stresses the provision of resources or assistance, demonstrating support.

they were championed

Suggests active promotion and defense of their cause or interests.

they were upheld

Conveys the act of maintaining or defending a principle or decision.

they were advocated

Highlights active support and promotion of a particular cause or idea.

they were commended

Focuses on the expression of praise or approval for their actions or qualities.

FAQs

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

Use "they were endorsed" to indicate that something received approval or support from a particular group or authority. For example: "The new policies were endorsed by the board of directors".

What's a good alternative to "they were endorsed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "they received approval", "they gained support", or "they were sanctioned".

Is it better to say "they were endorsed by" or "they were approved by"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "they were endorsed by" often implies a more active and public show of support compared to "they were approved by", which can be more formal and procedural.

What does it mean when something is described as "they were endorsed"?

It signifies that the thing or idea in question has been officially supported or approved by a person or group with influence or authority, lending it credibility and weight.