they were gathered

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were gathered" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to a group of people who have been gathered together for a certain purpose; for example, "They were gathered in the building for the town meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were gathered in a few months.

The New York Times

They were gathered in a stream bed.

The New York Times

They were gathered in a heavly guarded movie theater here.

The New York Times

The announcer noted they were gathered for "a great tradition in the City of St. Francis".

The New York Times

And so they were gathered at this evangelistic hootenanny of Christian praise and worship.

The Washington Post

Deputy Inspector Pontillo said they were gathered together to be better prepared for whatever developed.

The New York Times

They were gathered together as The Martian Chronicles (known in Britain as The Silver Locusts).

The Guardian - Books

They were gathered by the Fox News host — and 2008 Republican presidential candidate — Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas.

The New York Times

Some of those ballots, according to affidavits filed with state authorities, were incomplete when they were gathered.

The Washington Post

There they were, gathered in front of the television to watch old Goran and, cuddle him, Pat Rafter.

The Guardian - Sport

They were gathered next to the fireplace that simultaneously warms people, grills meat and smokes the homemade alheira sausage that hung overhead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were gathered" to describe a group of people or objects coming together in a specific location or for a particular purpose. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were gathered" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure the reader knows who or what is being referred to before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were gathered" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a group of individuals or objects has been brought together. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

15%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were gathered" functions as a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, indicating that it effectively conveys the idea of a group or collection being assembled. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media, science, and wiki contexts make it a versatile choice for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure that the antecedent of "they" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "they assembled" or "they congregated" for slight variations in meaning. While it is suitable for diverse contexts, its most frequent use remains within news and media reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they assembled

Focuses on the act of coming together in an organized way, implying a deliberate gathering.

they convened

Suggests a more formal and official gathering, often for a specific purpose or meeting.

they congregated

Emphasizes the spontaneous nature of the gathering, often in a public space.

they were collected

Implies a passive gathering, often by an external force or for a specific reason.

they amassed

Indicates a large accumulation or gathering, often of resources or people.

they united

Highlights the joining together of individuals or groups for a common goal.

they converged

Suggests multiple entities coming together from different directions or locations.

they rallied

Implies a gathering for a specific cause or purpose, often with enthusiasm and support.

they flocked

Suggests a large, unorganized gathering, often driven by a common interest or attraction.

they mustered

Implies a gathering of troops or resources, often for a specific mission or task.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they were gathered" is used to describe a group that has come together in a specific place or for a particular reason. For example, "They were gathered at the town hall for the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "they were gathered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they assembled", "they converged", or "they congregated".

Is it grammatically correct to say "they were gather"?

No, the correct phrase is "they were gathered". The verb "gather" requires the past participle form when used in the passive voice with "were".

What is the difference between "they gathered" and "they were gathered"?

"They gathered" is in the active voice, indicating that they performed the action of gathering. "They were gathered" is in the passive voice, indicating that an external force caused them to be gathered.