they were exercised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were exercised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to individuals or groups who have engaged in physical activity or have been put through a process of practice or training. Example: "After a long day of training, they were exercised and ready for the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Those options were taxable as compensation when they were exercised.

The New York Times

Stock options did not have to be counted as expenses in companies' profit-and-loss accounts, and their value did not become apparent until they were exercised.

The Economist

Arguing against a view that puts state or nation formation at heart, Wolverton examines interactions among dukes, emperors, freemen, and the church on their own terms, asking what powers the dukes of Bohemia possessed and how they were exercised within a broader political community.

Stanford University

The chief financial officer of Halliburton, Gary Morris, said in a telephone interview yesterday that under the Halliburton stock option plan, there was no way for Mr. Cheney to transfer the options, such as giving them to a charity, before they were exercised.

The New York Times

I passed by the same lab often after that and followed the progress of the rats as they were exercised daily on a treadmill after recovery in what was essentially an animal model of a cardiac rehabilitation intervention.

Science Magazine

Subsequently, they were exercised for 30 min three times per week at 23 cm s− 1 for young adults and 18 cm s− 1 in aged mice.

Bone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They were exercising their influence over the economy in a way that restricted competition and deters foreign investment.

The New York Times

He added: "These are spending commitments made by the Labour Party since they said they were exercising iron discipline".

BBC

Looking back, she said her obsession with what other people were eating - and how often they were exercising - was far from healthy.

BBC

They also indicated they were exercising their rights under the Constitution.

Huffington Post

The women will now argue they were exercising symbolic free speech, according to Walter Gerash, who represents Hudson.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were exercised", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what 'they' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were exercised" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "they were exercised by the trainer", consider "the trainer exercised them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were exercised" functions primarily as a passive voice construction. It indicates that a group or entity underwent a process of being exercised, whether physically, mentally, or in a more abstract sense. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were exercised" is a grammatically sound passive construction that indicates an action performed upon a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clear context and consider whether an active voice might be more effective. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, the phrase serves to describe a state of being acted upon. Related phrases include "they were utilized" and "they were trained". By considering these nuances, writers can effectively use "they were exercised" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were utilized

Focuses on the practical use or application of something or someone.

they were practiced

Emphasizes repetition or training to improve skill or proficiency.

they were trained

Highlights the process of teaching or learning a specific skill or behavior.

they were influenced

Indicates that something or someone has been affected or changed by an external force.

they were implemented

Suggests that a plan or system was put into effect or carried out.

they were activated

Implies that something or someone was made operational or functional.

they were subjected

Indicates that something or someone underwent a particular experience or treatment, often negative.

they were exerted

Focuses on the application of effort or force.

they were wielded

Emphasizes the use of power or authority.

they were operated

Highlights the action of controlling or using machinery or equipment.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were exercised" in sentences where you want to emphasize that a group or things underwent a session of physical activity or practice. For example, "After the training session, they were exercised and ready for the game."

What is an alternative to "they were exercised"?

Alternatives include "they were trained", "they were utilized", or "they were practiced", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "they were exercised"?

While "they were exercised" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "they were exercised by the coach", you could say "the coach exercised them".

What does "they were exercised" imply in the context of stock options?

In the context of stock options, "they were exercised" means that the holder of the options chose to buy the underlying shares at the predetermined price, thus converting the option into stock.