they were issued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were issued' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to denote that someone was given something, such as a document or a directive. For example, "The civil servants were issued a memo from their department director."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were issued only to aircrew members.

The New York Times

They were issued with more blankets and promised better food.

Independent

They were issued a restraining order and stopped.

The New York Times

They were issued by the Civil Defense Authority, and they look like little pens.

The New York Times

They were issued in a combined translation, Poetic Works of Flavien Ranaivo (1970).

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were issued to the defendant, requiring that he make amends or else appear in court.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lawsuit does not say who gave these instructions or how they were issued.

The New York Times

"It appears they were issued at the request of the company or its suppliers".

The New York Times

(The Police Department has since apologized for the speeding tickets, saying they were issued in error).

The New York Times

The bonds were in default a little over a year after they were issued.

The New York Times

They were issued tickets and ordered to leave their phones on entry.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they were issued", ensure the context clearly indicates who did the issuing and what was issued. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "they were issued". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider rephrasing using active voice when appropriate for a more dynamic style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were issued" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group received something from an unspecified actor. This construction focuses on the recipients rather than the issuer, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

13%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were issued" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that a group received something, often officially or formally. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, though it appears in scientific, encyclopedic, and other writing as well. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who did the issuing and what was issued. While useful, avoid overusing the passive voice for a more direct writing style. Consider active voice alternatives for stronger prose. For example, the authorities issued tickets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were given

A more direct and simple way of expressing the same idea.

they received

Focuses on the act of receiving rather than the act of giving.

they were provided with

Emphasizes the provision of something, highlighting the act of supplying.

they were supplied with

Similar to 'provided with' but can imply a regular or ongoing supply.

they were granted

Suggests a formal or official permission or right was given.

they were furnished with

Suggests a more complete or elaborate provision of something.

they were allocated

Implies a specific amount or share was assigned.

they were authorized

Focuses on the official permission or sanction to have or do something.

they obtained

Focuses on the act of getting or acquiring something, rather than it being given.

they acquired

Similar to 'obtained', implying ownership or possession.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were issued" to use active voice?

To use active voice, rephrase the sentence to focus on the issuer. For example, instead of "they were issued tickets", try "the authorities issued tickets".

What's the difference between "they were issued" and "they received"?

"They were issued" emphasizes the act of giving or providing by an authority, while ""they received"" simply indicates that something was obtained.

Is "they were issued with" grammatically correct?

While "they were issued with" isn't incorrect, it's often more concise and direct to simply use "they were issued". The "with" is usually redundant.

What are some alternatives to "they were issued" in a formal context?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "they were granted", "they were provided with", or "they were allocated depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.