they were felt

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were felt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical sensation or emotional response experienced by a group of people. For example: - After the earthquake, the tremors were felt by everyone in the building. - The excitement of winning the championship was felt by the entire team. - When the news of the tragic accident spread, a collective sense of grief was felt by the entire community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Although most of them were small, they were felt by the local population and rattled their nerves.

University of California, Berkeley

Whilst the draft principles might safeguard learners, they were felt possibly to stifle innovation.

The Guardian

The jazz improvisations, journeys into free-fall though they were, felt like welcome respites for him.

The Guardian - Music

Jews, black and mixed-race people, Travellers and the disabled, were murdered en masse because they were felt to be a threat to national greatness.

Independent

"There's been a trend toward taking the coats off in the last 20 years because they were felt to be intimidating," Dr. Risse said.

The New York Times

The British had a mindset that divided Uganda into "tribes" and promoted northerners and easterners in the army because they were felt to have a more martial bearing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

They are felt by farmers, producers, retailers, and consumers alike.

The Guardian

Employees can respond positively to employers' strategies aimed at raising their level of experienced meaningfulness when they are felt to be authentic.

Human Resource Management Review

These pressures are not unique to Arab countries; they are felt throughout the world.

The New York Times

Bodily sensations are embodied; they are felt experiences.

BMC Health Services Research

They are felt to have a sense of vocation.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider using active voice constructions when possible to make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of saying "the tremors were felt by everyone", try "everyone felt the tremors".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "they were felt", as this can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Always assess whether an active voice alternative would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were felt" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group or entity experienced a sensation or emotion. Ludwig AI examples show its usage to describe physical sensations (earthquakes) or emotional impacts (political consequences).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were felt" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to express that a group experienced a sensation or emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While common, it's advisable to consider active voice alternatives for more direct and impactful writing. Related phrases include "they were perceived" and "they were experienced". When considering formal vs. informal, note that due to its passive nature, this phrase leans towards formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were perceived

Focuses on the act of perceiving something, shifting the emphasis slightly from the feeling to the sensory experience.

they were experienced

Emphasizes the undergoing of an event or sensation by a group.

they were noticed

Highlights the fact that something did not go unnoticed by a group, focusing on acknowledgement.

they were sensed

Implies a more subtle or intuitive awareness, rather than a direct, strong feeling.

they were recognized

Indicates acknowledgment and understanding, rather than a purely emotional or sensory experience.

they were detected

Suggests a discovery or uncovering, often implying a hidden or subtle presence.

they resonated

Focuses on the emotional or intellectual impact something had on a group, implying a connection.

they had an impact

Shifts from the experience of feeling to the effect something had on a group.

they left a mark

Emphasizes the lasting influence or impression made by something on a group.

people were aware of them

Highlights the general consciousness or knowledge of something by a group of individuals.

FAQs

How can I rewrite sentences with "they were felt" to be more active?

Instead of "they were felt", try rephrasing the sentence to emphasize who or what did the feeling. For example, you could say "people felt them", or "everyone experienced them". This often makes the sentence more direct and impactful.

What is the difference between "they were felt" and "they were sensed"?

"They were felt" typically implies a more direct or intense experience, while "they were sensed" suggests a more subtle or intuitive awareness. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they were felt" too informal for academic writing?

While "they were felt" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less formal than other options. Consider alternatives like "they were experienced" or "they resonated" for a more sophisticated tone, depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "they were felt" that avoid passive voice?

To avoid passive voice, rephrase the sentence to use an active subject. For instance, instead of "they were felt by the audience", try "the audience felt them", or "the audience experienced them".