they were excluded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were excluded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where individuals or groups were not allowed to participate or were left out of an event or decision. Example: "During the meeting, it became clear that they were excluded from the discussion about the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(They were excluded).

The New York Times

They were excluded from almost all the critical negotiating sessions.

The Guardian

At first they were excluded from taking part.

The Guardian - Sport

First, they were excluded from its musical institutions.

The Economist

After the detection of unsuitable areas, they were excluded from the county map by Boolean logic.

Energy Conversion and Management

Two of these students joined the school recently because they were excluded from their previous provisions.

The Guardian

Yet the last few years have been replete with examples of how they were excluded.

The Guardian

They were resourceful, and plugged into society even as they were excluded from it.

The New Yorker

As such they were excluded from public office and the universities.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Noyes and Dr. Kupers said they were excluded from participating in the revocation hearing.

The New York Times

But they were excluded from the process until the Justice Department got involved.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were excluded", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what "they" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of your statement.

Common error

While "they were excluded" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice construction for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were excluded" functions as a passive construction indicating that a group or individuals were prevented from participating or being included in something. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were excluded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe situations where a group or individuals were intentionally left out. While its register is generally neutral, its presence across diverse contexts—from science and news to formal business—highlights its broad applicability. To enhance clarity, ensure the referent of "they" is explicit. While the passive voice is suitable in many cases, consider active constructions for greater directness. Consider alternatives like "they were omitted" or "they were left out" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were omitted

Focuses on the act of leaving something or someone out, often unintentionally.

they were left out

Emphasizes the feeling of being excluded from a group or activity.

they were barred

Suggests a formal or legal prohibition from entering or participating.

they were prohibited

Implies a rule or law prevented their participation.

they were prevented

Highlights the act of stopping someone from doing something.

they were shut out

Emphasizes a forceful and complete exclusion.

they were sidelined

Suggests being moved to the periphery or made less important.

they were marginalized

Highlights being pushed to the edges of society or a group.

they were rejected

Focuses on a decision where they were not accepted.

they were disinvited

Suggests a reversal of an earlier invitation.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were excluded" to describe a situation where a group was intentionally left out. For example, "Because of their prior behavior, "they were excluded" from the team."

What's a more formal way to say "they were excluded"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "they were omitted" or "they were prohibited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are some less formal ways to say "they were excluded"?

Informal alternatives could include "they were left out" or "they were shut out", which are more conversational.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying someone was excluded?

While "they were excluded" uses passive voice, using active voice, like "The committee excluded them", can often create a more direct and impactful statement. However, passive voice is appropriate when the actor is unknown or less important than the fact of exclusion.