they were established

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were established" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was created or set up in the past, often referring to organizations, institutions, or systems. Example: "The company was founded in 1995, and they were established to provide innovative technology solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were established legally but were soon forced underground.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were established by the emperor Maximilian I (1493 1519).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unless they were established by him, he abhorred rules.

Independent

This again is true but are they still meeting the needs for which they were established?

The Guardian

They came themselves and then sent for them a few years later when they were established.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rather, they were established by custom and accepted by general agreement.

The New Yorker

Wyoming banned game farms, she noted, but before they were established.

The New York Times

Though the camps are located in Poland, they were established and operated by Nazi Germany.

The New Yorker

They were established later by our legislators as a prospective public good.

The New York Times

They were established in 1883 by Carl H. Wente, her great-great-grandfather.

The New York Times - Style

They were established as residences for working women of modest means.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To increase the impact of the phrase, you can follow it with a statement of purpose or the year in which the entity was established.

Common error

Avoid using "they were established" when referring to a singular entity. It is grammatically incorrect; instead, use "it was established."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were established" functions as a passive voice construction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the past action of creating or founding something, with the focus on the entity being acted upon. This is consistent with the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were established" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe the creation or founding of something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided, it appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider alternatives like "they were founded" or "they were created" for variety. This phrase helps provide historical context and inform the reader about the origins of an entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were founded

Replaces "established" with "founded", emphasizing the beginning or creation of something.

they were created

Uses "created" instead of "established", focusing on the act of bringing something into existence.

they were formed

Employs "formed" in place of "established", highlighting the process of coming into being or being organized.

they were initiated

Substitutes "established" with "initiated", stressing the commencement or start of something.

they were instituted

Replaces "established" with "instituted", focusing on the act of setting something up as a system or practice.

they were set up

Uses the phrasal verb "set up" instead of "established", providing a more informal alternative.

they were originated

Replaces "established" with "originated", emphasizing the point from which something began or was created.

they were developed

Employs "developed" in place of "established", suggesting a gradual process of growth and formation.

they were pioneered

Substitutes "established" with "pioneered", highlighting the innovative and groundbreaking nature of their creation.

they were brought into being

A more formal and emphatic way of saying something was created or established.

FAQs

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

Use "they were established" to describe the creation or founding of something. For example, "The guidelines "they were established" in 2010 to ensure fair competition."

What are some alternatives to "they were established"?

You can use alternatives like "they were founded", "they were created", or "they were formed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was established" instead of "they were established"?

Yes, "it was established" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while ""they were established"" is used for plural subjects. Ensure the subject-verb agreement in your sentence.

What's the difference between "they were established" and "they are established"?

"They were established" indicates that something was created or founded in the past, whereas "they are established" means that something currently exists and is well-recognized or successful.