they were generated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were generated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the creation or production of something, often in a technical or formal context. Example: "The reports were generated automatically by the software at the end of each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If those four characters sound like they were generated by a Crime Screenplay Generator Algorithm, well, they more or less feel that way through the first three episodes.

Vice

Messages from Delphi, after all, were pretty generalised, as if they were generated randomly.

The Guardian - Books

You can infer well, it comes from a one- or two-dimensional environment, whatever that is, one- or two-dimensional space in which they were generated.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Did not the things which were generated, and the things out of which they were generated, furnish all the three classes?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The emergence of substantial international trade in the 1920s prompted countries to agree tax treaties in an attempt to ensure profits were appropriately taxed where they were generated.

The Guardian - Business

Apparently the firm wasn't able to turn off the demands because they were generated by a central computer, and you know computers, they just won't be told.

The Guardian - Money

Both he and Dr. Egholm said it would be valuable to compare the two new genomes, especially as they were generated by different methods.

The New York Times - Science

She says the results are statistically significant with a less than 0.1percentnt chance that they were generated by chance.

MIT Technology Review

These showed all the signs of healthy embryonic stem cells, suggesting that the embryos from which they were generated would be viable once implanted.

Nature

I would suggest that these moneys be returned to the communities from which they were generated, to be specifically earmarked to clean up along roadways in all comunities.

The New York Times

They found that the embryonic stem cells had a unique methylation pattern, regardless of where the cells came from or how they were generated.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were generated" when you want to emphasize the process or mechanism that led to the creation of something, particularly in technical or scientific contexts. It often implies a systematic or automated production.

Common error

Avoid using "they were generated" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "they were made" or "they were created" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were generated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject (they) underwent an action (generation) performed by an unspecified agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were generated" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe the creation or production of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for formal and technical contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While widely used, it's important to consider the register and choose simpler alternatives like "they were created" in more informal settings. Understanding its function and common usage patterns can help writers effectively communicate the origin or production of various subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were created

This is a direct synonym, replacing "generated" with "created" for simpler language.

they were produced

Similar to "created", but emphasizes the manufacturing or output aspect.

they were formed

This suggests a specific process of shaping or structuring during creation.

they originated

This alternative focuses on the point of origin rather than the process of creation.

they were developed

This implies a gradual process of growth and refinement.

they came into existence

This alternative is more descriptive, highlighting the beginning of something's being.

they were derived

Suggests the extraction or obtaining of something from a source.

they arose

Similar to "originated", focusing on the emergence or start of something.

they were manufactured

Suggests a mass production or industrial process.

they stemmed from

This implies that something is the result or consequence of something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were generated" to describe the creation or production of something, often in a technical or formal setting. For example, "The reports "they were generated" automatically by the system".

What are some alternatives to "they were generated"?

Some alternatives include "they were created", "they were produced", or "they originated", depending on the specific context.

Is "they were generated" formal or informal?

"They were generated" is generally considered a more formal phrase suitable for technical, scientific, or business writing, whereas alternatives like "they were made" are more informal.

What is the difference between "they were generated" and "they were created"?

While similar, "they were generated" often implies a more systematic or automated process of creation, whereas "they were created" is a more general term for bringing something into existence.