they were handled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were handled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an object or situation that had been taken care of or managed by someone. For example: "The customer's inquiries were handled quickly and professionally by our sales team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In short they were handled correctly.

The Guardian - Business

He said they were handled by her financial manager.

The Washington Post

Even though it's similar, they were handled differently.

The New York Times - Sports

But officials from the two nations say that they were handled callously.

The Washington Post

Investigators examined a sample of cases to see how they were handled.

The Guardian

The rats were allowed 1 week to acclimate, during which they were handled repeatedly.

Nature

They were handled by different interrogators, in different rooms, and were spaced a week apart.

The New York Times

It was not the stories themselves, but the way they were handled.

The New Yorker

The newborns then acquired more as they were handled and nursed.

The New York Times - Science

By the late 1800s they were handled with brief summary judgments.

The New York Times - Books

I was shocked when I heard about how they were handled.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were handled", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the context specifies who or what performed the handling. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were handled" without clearly defining who "they" refers to. Without a clear subject, the sentence lacks context and becomes confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were handled" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (they) received an action (handling) from an unspecified agent. Ludwig confirms this is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were handled" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that describes how something was managed or dealt with. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts. While it’s important to ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity, this phrase serves as a versatile way to communicate information about processes and treatments. Related phrases such as "they were managed" and "they were addressed" offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. Using active voice is a good alternative if you look for more clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were managed

Focuses more on the overall administration and control of something, rather than the specific actions taken.

they were dealt with

A more general way of saying something was managed or taken care of.

they were administered

Implies a more formal or official process of dealing with something.

they were addressed

Emphasizes the act of giving attention to or dealing with specific issues.

they were processed

Highlights a systematic series of actions performed on something.

they were taken care of

Suggests that something was looked after and managed well.

they were treated

Focuses on the manner in which something or someone was dealt with, implying a specific approach or attitude.

they were controlled

Highlights the act of maintaining influence or authority over something.

they were supervised

Suggests oversight and guidance in the management of something.

they were organized

Emphasizes the structured arrangement and management of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were handled" to describe how something was managed or dealt with. For example, "The complaints were handled efficiently by the customer service team."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were managed", "they were addressed", or "they were processed" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how something was managed?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The team handled the project") is often clearer and more direct than the passive voice ("They were handled by the team"). However, the passive voice can be useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What is the difference between "they were handled" and "they were taken care of"?

"They were handled" generally refers to the process of managing something, while "they were taken care of" implies that something was looked after and managed well, often with a focus on ensuring its well-being.