they were fined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were fined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where individuals or entities have been penalized with a monetary charge for violating a law or regulation. Example: "After the investigation, they were fined for not adhering to safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

They were fined nearly $15,000 each.

The New York Times

She said they were fined when they failed to comply.

The New York Times

They were fined $25 if they arrived at the meeting late.

The Economist

They were fined $148 each, plus another $198 for Mrs Fugatt, whose licence had expired.

The Economist

They were fined even more after the final, in which Barça lowered Standard Liège.

The Guardian - Sport

(They were fined one mina per soldier involved, perhaps the equivalent of $5 million today).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Occasionally, they are fined for trespassing.

The New York Times - Health

If they are fined they will not pay".

The New York Times

They were fine.

The New York Times

And they were fine.

The New York Times

The banks insisted they were fine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were fined" when you want to emphasize that a financial penalty was imposed as a consequence of breaking a rule or law. It's a direct and easily understood way to convey this information.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun 'they' has a clear and unambiguous antecedent. If the subject is unclear, rewrite the sentence to specify who was fined. For example, instead of "They were fined," write "The company was fined."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were fined" functions as a statement indicating that a group or entity has been subjected to a financial penalty. This passive construction emphasizes the action of fining rather than the actor imposing the fine. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were fined" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression indicating that a group or organization has received a monetary penalty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness and practicality. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki and Scientific contexts with reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian being authoritative sources for the usage of this phrase. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in pronoun reference and consider alternatives like "they were penalized" or "a fine was levied against them" to best fit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they incurred a penalty

Focuses on the action of receiving a penalty rather than the specific act of being fined.

a fine was levied against them

Emphasizes the official imposition of a fine using a more formal tone.

they were penalized

A broader term encompassing various forms of punishment, not just monetary fines.

they faced monetary sanctions

Highlights the financial aspect of the penalty using more formal language.

they had to pay a fee

Implies a required payment, which may or may not be punitive.

they were charged

Focuses on the act of being accused and required to pay, less specific than "fined".

they were sanctioned

Suggests a formal disapproval or restriction, often used in international contexts.

they were given a ticket

Commonly used for minor offenses like traffic violations.

they forfeited funds

Indicates a loss of money or assets as a consequence of wrongdoing.

they made a payment

A general term indicating an exchange of money, which might not necessarily be a penalty.

FAQs

How to use "they were fined" in a sentence?

Use "they were fined" to indicate that a group or organization received a financial penalty for violating a rule, law, or agreement. For example: "After the audit, "they were fined" for accounting irregularities."

What can I say instead of "they were fined"?

You can use alternatives like "they were penalized", "a fine was levied against them", or "they incurred a penalty" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was fined"?

No, "they was fined" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "they were fined" because "they" is a plural pronoun, requiring the plural form of the verb "to be" (were).

What is the difference between "they were fined" and "they were charged"?

"They were fined" indicates that a financial penalty has been officially imposed and is due. "They were charged" means they are accused of something and may face a fine if found guilty. You can say that the "they were charged" and then "they were fined".