they were located

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were located" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe the location of something or someone. For example: "The missing hikers were eventually located in a remote area of the woods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She would not disclose how many people had downloaded the software or where they were located.

The New York Times - Tech

He enumerated the tattoos he had seen, what they were and where they were located.

The New York Times - Style

They were located on trade routes that specialised in gemstones and spanned the whole of central Asia.

The Guardian

It said the group included multiple Fortune 100 companies but did not identify them or say where they were located.

The Guardian - Tech

By the time they were located, the Swiss crew piloting the military plane had to take its mandatory rest break.

The New Yorker

Until last year they were located just across the hall from each other in an office building in Westwood.

The New Yorker

"The hotel usually was a social hub of the city they were located in.

The Economist

By 1772 they were located near what is now Wichita Falls, Texas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Animal populations also dropped off significantly the farther they were located from a patch.

The New York Times

These fairs all succeeded because they were located on major trade or pilgrimage routes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In addition, charter schools had lower pass rates than the overall school districts in which they were located as measured by state-mandated achievement tests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the position of multiple items or individuals, ensure that the subject clearly identifies who or what "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were located" if the context implies an ongoing or habitual state rather than a specific point in time. Use alternatives like "they are located" if the subject is still in the mentioned location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were located" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the position or placement of a subject (people, objects, entities) at a specific point in time. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to describe the location of something or someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were located" is a versatile phrase used to denote the past position or placement of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage, spanning diverse contexts from scientific research and news reports to general informational articles. While grammatically straightforward, proper usage involves ensuring clarity about the subject and maintaining consistency with the tense. Related phrases like "they were situated" or "they were found" offer subtle variations in formality or emphasis. By considering these nuances, writers can effectively convey information about past locations in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were situated

This alternative uses 'situated,' which is a more formal and static way of indicating location, often used in geographical or architectural contexts.

they could be found

This alternative uses "could be found" implying a possibility rather than a definite location, differing slightly in certainty.

their location was identified

Highlights the act of 'identifying' the location, often used in technical or investigative contexts where precision is important.

their position was

This phrase shifts the focus to the 'position' itself, being more formal and emphasizing the state of being located.

they had been placed

This alternative emphasizes the action of placing something, suggesting a deliberate arrangement, and differs in that it doesn't necessarily imply discovery.

they were discovered

Focuses on the action of finding something that was previously unknown or hidden, differing in its emphasis on the discovery process.

their whereabouts were

This phrase is more specific to people or things that are searched for, emphasizing the unknown nature of the location prior to discovery.

they resided

This is applicable only if the subject refers to subjects with the possibility of residing (e.g. people)

they were mapped

Suggests that the action of creating a map was involved, which might not always be the case for things being simply "located".

they were established

This implies a more permanent setup or arrangement, often used for institutions or businesses, and doesn't directly convey a physical location.

FAQs

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

Use "they were located" to indicate where a group of people, objects, or entities existed at a specific point in the past. For example, "The missing artifacts "they were located" in a hidden chamber."

What's a more formal alternative to "they were located"?

A more formal alternative is "they were situated", which conveys a similar meaning but is often used in more professional or academic contexts.

Which is correct, "they were located" or "they are located"?

The correct choice depends on the timeframe you're referencing. Use "they were located" for a past location and "they are located" if referring to a present location.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were found", "they were situated", or "their location was identified depending on the context.