they were instituted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were instituted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the establishment or creation of rules, organizations, or systems. Example: "The new regulations were instituted to improve safety standards in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They were instituted in 2005, after a labor dispute forced the cancellation of an entire hockey season.

The New Yorker

They were instituted chiefly so that the crown might gain better control over its lands and finances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of those that did make the Butler report, several were neglected and although I nagged the ISC to ensure they were instituted, nothing happened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before the crisis, the O.C.C. had often exercised its rights to "pre-emption," or cutting off state regulations before they were instituted.

The New York Times

Since they were instituted, community service block grants have helped to support community action organizations in cities and towns across the country.

The New York Times

High-risk pools have been a failure nearly everywhere they have been tried, largely because they are never "fully funded"; that, in turn, is because fully funding them would generally cost so much money that it vitiates much of the savings they were instituted to create.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The organization announced in September, after SMU's first semester had begun, that they were instituting a postseason ban.

The Guardian - Sport

The positive laws instituted by the wise take into account the particular nature of the people for whose benefit they are instituted, as well as other circumstances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

City Hall is fighting to institute reforms no top-performing country has ever seen fit to use, and which probably won't make much difference if they are instituted.

The New York Times

But given that most NIH-funded chimp research does not have conservation aims per se, it is not clear how will it meet the new permitting requirements if they're instituted.

Science Magazine

Such measures, had they been instituted some time ago, could have prevented Adam Lanza's mother from obtaining 30-round magazines.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were instituted", ensure the subject clearly refers to rules, laws, policies, or systems that have been formally established. Clarity is key in passive voice constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "they were instituted" without a clear antecedent for "they". This can lead to ambiguity and confuse the reader. Always specify what was instituted for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were instituted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a set of rules, laws, or practices has been formally established. This structure shifts the focus from the actor to the recipient of the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

7%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were instituted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction indicating the formal establishment of rules, laws, or systems. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business domains. While alternatives like "they were established" or "they were implemented" exist, "they were instituted" maintains a strong presence in formal writing. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what "they" refers to, and consider using the active voice when the actor is important. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were established

Replaces "instituted" with a synonym, maintaining the passive voice and meaning.

they were created

Another synonym replacement for "instituted", focusing on the act of creation.

they were implemented

Focuses on the practical application or enforcement of something.

they were introduced

Suggests a formal presentation or beginning of something.

they were initiated

Emphasizes the starting point or beginning of a process.

they were founded

Implies a more formal and permanent establishment, often used for organizations.

they were started

A more informal way of saying something was begun or initiated.

they came into effect

Highlights the point at which something became operational or legally binding.

they were brought into being

A more emphatic way of stating that something was created or established.

they were set up

Informal, but still conveys the meaning of being established or arranged.

FAQs

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

Use "they were instituted" to describe when rules, laws, or systems were formally established or created. For example: "The new safety regulations "they were instituted" after the accident".

What's a formal alternative to "they were instituted"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "they were established", "they were implemented", or "they were enacted". These alternatives offer a similar meaning while maintaining a professional register.

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

While "they were instituted" uses passive voice, active voice might be clearer if you want to emphasize who or what did the instituting. For example, instead of "The policies were instituted", you could say "The government instituted the policies".

What does "they were instituted" mean?

"They were instituted" means that certain rules, laws, or practices were formally put into place or established. It implies a deliberate act of creation or implementation.