they were got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were got' is not correct or usable in written English.
Instead, more common phrases such as 'they got' or 'they were getting' should be used. For example: They got help from the volunteers to pick up the debris.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But once they realized that men no smarter than they were got to write and edit while they were consigned to fact-checking, they did what women have always done: they started whispering in the ladies room.

The New York Times - Books

I was impressed with the fans and the way they were got behind the team and kept trying to lift the players.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were getting killed".

The New Yorker

And they were getting old.

The New Yorker

"Lucky they were getting out".

The New York Times

They were getting antsy.

The New York Times

"They were getting more advice, they were getting opportunities, and they were getting promoted".

The New York Times

"They knew what they were getting.

The New York Times - Arts

They knew what they were getting into.

The New Yorker

They were getting ready for it.

The New Yorker

"They were getting tired," Cooper said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "they were got" in formal or informal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "they received" or "they obtained".

Common error

The phrase "they were got" incorrectly applies passive voice. Instead of saying "they were got", use the active voice with a more direct verb, such as "they received" or "they obtained", to clearly express who performed the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were got" is an attempt at using the passive voice, but it's grammatically incorrect in modern English. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect phrase and suggests alternatives. The correct passive construction would typically involve a more appropriate verb like 'given' or 'assigned'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were got" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in contemporary English. Ludwig AI identifies it as such and provides clearer alternatives like "they received", "they obtained", or "they were given". While the phrase might appear in some sources, it is best to avoid it in both formal and informal contexts to ensure clear and effective communication. Using correct alternatives will improve the clarity and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they received

Replaces the passive voice with a more standard verb for indicating receipt.

they obtained

Similar to "received" but suggests a more active or deliberate acquisition.

they acquired

Implies a gradual or strategic process of gaining something.

they were given

Replaces the original with a simple expression of receiving something.

they secured

Implies effort was put in to ensure possession of something.

they understood

Shifts the meaning to comprehension, if the original intent was about understanding something.

they had

Simplifies the expression to a state of possession.

they grasped

Similar to "understood", but suggests a more immediate and intuitive comprehension.

they were influenced

Changes the meaning to indicate being affected or swayed by something.

they were affected

A more general term for being impacted by something.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "they were got"?

Replace "they were got" with grammatically correct alternatives like "they received", "they obtained", or "they were given" depending on the intended meaning.

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

Consider using alternatives such as "they received", "they obtained", or "they were given" to convey a similar meaning with correct grammar.

Which is correct, "they were got" or "they got"?

"They got" is generally more correct and commonly used than "they were got". The latter is considered grammatically awkward.

When is it appropriate to use "they were got"?

The phrase "they were got" is rarely appropriate in modern English writing. It's best to avoid it and use more standard alternatives.