they were intermingled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were intermingled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where different elements or groups are mixed together or blended. Example: "The colors of the sunset were so vibrant that they were intermingled, creating a breathtaking view."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Cerebral Cortex

The Guardian

The New York Times - Sports

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Journal of Headache and Pain

SEP

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Brain Structure and Function

Los Angeles Times

The Guardian - Film

The New York Times - Arts

The New Yorker

The New York Times

Surgical Case Reports

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Polymer

Biomaterials

Huffington Post

Vice

Plosone

Acta neuropathologica communications

BMC Genomics

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Genome Biology and Evolution

BMC Gastroenterology

Parks and Recreation

The Guardian

Vice

The New York Times

The New York Times

The New York Times

The New York Times

The New York Times

Independent

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New York Times

The New York Times

TechCrunch

Crime Science

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Insights into Imaging

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Able-bodied soldiers were force-marched over 600 km to prison camps to the north and east, where they were intermingled with Viet Minh soldiers to discourage French bombing runs.

Wikipedia

Unlike the nuclear gene trees, haplotypes of P. nigromaculatus and P. plancyi did not form two monophyletic groups, rather, they were intermingled and together formed one monophyletic group.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

If they were intermingled at random (null hypothesis), the nearest neighbor of any given synapse should be asymmetric or symmetric with a probability that would only depend on the respective proportions of both types of synapses in the sample.

Cerebral Cortex

Although we could not apply the same tests to asymmetric and symmetric synapses due to the scarcity of the latter, we found that symmetric synapses have a nearest neighbor of the same type over 4 times more than would be expected if they were intermingled at random with asymmetric synapses.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In the end they were contained... there is a difficult balance because they were intermingling with, and were in amongst, getting on for 400,000 TUC protesters.

The Guardian

And she has strong views on race and femininity, particularly when they are intermingled.

The New York Times - Sports

They are intermingled with the Han throughout much of the country and are distinguished as Hui only in the area of their heaviest concentration, the Hui Autonomous Region of Ningxia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is difficult to separate these sources of circulation PACAP-38, because they are intermingled.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

In this life, we can never be sure of which individuals belong to which city [e.g. De Civitate Dei XX.27], and thus they are intermingled in a way that thwarts any moral complacency.

SEP

The number of genes for each class is roughly similar and they are intermingled in the genome (Fig. 1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In both models, innervated cells show a clustered pattern, but in one of them they are intermingled at random with non-innervated cells (Fig.  12a) while in the other they form clusters comprising mainly innervated cells (Fig.  12b).

Brain Structure and Function

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were intermingled" when you want to emphasize that different entities are not just mixed, but also exist within the same space and affect each other.

Common error

Avoid using "they were intermingled" in situations where simpler words like "mixed" or "combined" would suffice. Overusing it might make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were intermingled" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that multiple entities or elements have been mixed together. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing physical mixtures, abstract concepts, and social situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were intermingled" accurately describes entities that are thoroughly mixed together. Ludwig AI states that it's correct and usable in written English. It functions descriptively, conveying a sense of deep mixing and integration. While appropriate for various contexts, it is most commonly found in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. Consider its slightly formal tone and use it when you want to convey a thorough mixing rather than a simple combination. Alternatives such as "they were mixed" or "they were blended" may be more suitable in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were commingled

This suggests a more deliberate act of mixing or blending, implying a shared space or resource.

they were blended

Implies a smooth mixture where individual components are hard to distinguish.

they were mixed

A general term for combining elements, lacking the nuance of deeper integration.

they were combined

Focuses on the act of bringing things together, but doesn't necessarily imply a uniform distribution.

they were fused

Suggests a strong union, often implying a permanent bond or loss of individual identity.

they were integrated

Implies a harmonious combination where different parts work together as a whole.

they were interwoven

Suggests a complex, interconnected relationship like threads in a fabric.

they were amalgamated

Implies the joining or merging of multiple entities into a single unified body.

they were jumbled

Suggests a chaotic or disordered mixture, lacking any specific organization.

they were stirred together

Implies a manual mixing action, often in a culinary or experimental context.

FAQs

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

Use "they were intermingled" to describe items or concepts that are mixed together and difficult to distinguish. For instance: "The sounds of laughter and music "they were intermingled" at the party."

What's a simpler alternative to "they were intermingled"?

If you're looking for a more straightforward option, consider using phrases like "they were mixed", "they were combined", or "they were blended" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "they were intermingled" differ from "they were mixed"?

"They were mixed" is a general term for combining items, while ""they were intermingled"" suggests a more thorough and inseparable combination, implying a closer relationship.

Is it appropriate to use "they were intermingled" in formal writing?

Yes, ""they were intermingled"" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing complex relationships or mixtures where distinct elements are hard to separate. However, consider your audience and the overall tone to ensure it's the best choice.