they were found

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were found" is a grammatically correct and usable sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people or things were located after searching for them. For example: "The missing hikers were found safe and sound after they had been missing for several days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were found blocks away.

The New Yorker

They were found holding hands.

Independent

They were found in a creek.

The New York Times

In 58, they were found dead.

The New York Times

"They were found here in 1830.

The Guardian - Travel

They were found dehydrated days later.

The Guardian

They were found yesterday and Sunday.

The New York Times

But not because they were found out.

The New York Times

They were found in the basement.

The New York Times

"I'm very upset they were found here.

Independent

The bodies were reburied where they were found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing to avoid repetition; consider alternatives like "they were discovered" or "they were located" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "they were found" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The keys were found by John", use "John found the keys".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were found" primarily functions as a statement of fact, indicating that a group of individuals or items has been located. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples across various contexts, as well as in Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were found" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a group of people or objects has been located. Ludwig, based on a vast collection of real-world examples, confirms its frequent use across various domains, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. As Ludwig AI analysis suggests, while generally neutral, writers should consider active voice constructions for clarity and impact. Alternatives include "they were discovered" or "they were located", providing nuanced options for expressing the idea of discovery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were located

More formal and direct, simply stating their position was determined.

they were discovered

Emphasizes the action of discovering, often implying a deliberate search.

they had been discovered

Focuses on the action of discovering, emphasizing the process leading to the finding.

their whereabouts were revealed

Highlights that information about their location became known.

they were recovered

Implies that they were lost or missing and then returned to a known state or location.

they turned up

Informal way of saying they were located, often unexpectedly.

they were unearthed

Suggests a literal or figurative uncovering, often after being hidden.

they were detected

Highlights the act of sensing or noticing their presence, often through technology or observation.

they came to light

Suggests that something previously unknown became public or apparent.

they were identified

Focuses on the process of recognizing or establishing their identity.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were found" to indicate that a group of people or items were located after a search or investigation. For example, "The missing documents /s/they+were+found in the archives".

What are some alternatives to saying "they were found"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "/s/they+were+discovered", "/s/they+were+located", or "/s/they+were+recovered" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While "they were found" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "they were found by the search party", you could say "the search party found them".

What does it imply when something is said to have been "found"?

Saying something was "found" often implies that it was either lost, hidden, or previously unknown. It suggests a process of discovery or retrieval, where something has been located after being sought or unnoticed.