they were interviewed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were interviewed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to individuals who have undergone an interview process, typically in contexts such as job applications, research studies, or media coverage. Example: "The candidates were interviewed over the course of two days to assess their qualifications for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the beginning and end of this period, they were interviewed on their views on themselves.

New Ideas in Psychology

Then they were interviewed face-to-face by trained interviewers.

BMC Oral Health

They were interviewed.

The New York Times

They were interviewed on the radio.

University of California, Berkeley

Newman insisted they were interviewed separately.

The Guardian

They were interviewed twice as much as politicians from Britain.

The Guardian

They were interviewed by phone in California last month.

The New York Times

They were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey this morning.

The New York Times

They were interviewed on subjects from failure to inspiration.

The New York Times

They were interviewed then and later about their drug consumption.

Independent

They were interviewed once again (using NUFFE-NO) 2 to 4 days afterward.

Nutrition Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing news reports or academic papers, use "they were interviewed" to maintain a neutral and objective tone. This passive construction emphasizes the action of interviewing rather than the interviewer or the interviewee.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus is on the individuals who underwent the interview, as it may shift the emphasis and alter the intended message. For instance, instead of saying "Reporters interviewed them", prefer "They were interviewed by reporters" to highlight the subjects.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they were interviewed" is to act as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (they) received the action (interviewing). Ludwig examples showcase its widespread use across various contexts. It shifts the focus from the interviewer to the individuals being interviewed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were interviewed" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to indicate that a group of people has undergone an interview process. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is primarily used in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts to report facts objectively. While the phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for formal and informal settings, choosing semantically similar alternatives such as "they were questioned" or "interviews were conducted with them" can further refine the message. When using this phrase, prioritize passive voice to keep the focus on the individuals interviewed, and avoid replacing it with active sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were questioned

Focuses on the act of asking questions, potentially implying a more formal or investigative context.

interviews were conducted with them

Rephrases the sentence in a passive voice, emphasizing the interviews themselves.

they were interrogated

Suggests a more intense and formal questioning, often associated with legal or criminal investigations.

they participated in interviews

Highlights the involvement of the individuals in the interview process.

they were surveyed

Implies a structured data collection process, focusing on gathering information from a group.

they faced questioning

Emphasizes the potential challenges or scrutiny involved in being interviewed.

they were consulted

Suggests seeking advice or opinions from experts or individuals with relevant knowledge.

they gave interviews

Shifts the focus to the individuals providing the information rather than the act of interviewing.

their accounts were taken

Focuses on recording the information provided by the individuals.

information was gathered from them

Highlights the action of collecting information, with no emphasis on interviews.

FAQs

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

Use "they were interviewed" to indicate that a group of people participated in an interview. For example, "After the experiment, "they were interviewed" about their experiences."

What is a more formal way to say "they were interviewed"?

More formal alternatives include "interviews were conducted with them" or "they participated in an interview process". These options are suitable for academic or professional writing.

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

The passive voice ("they were interviewed") is often preferred when the focus is on the people who were interviewed rather than the interviewer. The active voice ("someone interviewed them") is suitable when you want to emphasize the interviewer.

What are some phrases similar to "they were interviewed"?

Similar phrases include "they were questioned", "they were surveyed", or "they were consulted", each implying a different type of information gathering.