they were overturned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were overturned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been reversed, such as a decision, ruling, or physical object being flipped over. Example: "The court's previous ruling was challenged, and ultimately, they were overturned by the higher court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"European technocrats were convinced that Greece wasn't ready, which it wasn't, but they were overturned by politicians," said Keridis.

The Guardian - Business

The commission's findings, which were adopted by the Israeli cabinet, drew international condemnation; they were overturned by the Israeli Supreme Court in 1999.

The New York Times

In some cases, Mr. Goldsmith's decisions proved problematic enough that they were overturned, as when he removed financing from the city's latest budget for new waste management stations.

The New York Times

"Prenuptial agreements are routinely enforced in New York, even if they appear to be bad deals," he said, adding that the few recent cases in which they were overturned were "still exceptions to the rule".

The New York Times

(A common example of this bias is a husband's estimate of how much housework he does; in this case, judges were asked to estimate whether they were overturned on appeal more or less frequently than their colleagues).

The New York Times - Arts

The cities of Salina and Hutchison had enacted similar measures but they were overturned in a voter referendum last year.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"They were overturning cars and buses.

The New York Times

Just as young people in that decade were marching to overthrow old attitudes and restrictions, so the young Hollywood crowd fancied that they were overturning elitist structures, rejecting studio systems in favour of rock'n'roll and new cinema.

The Guardian

After Rob's story started getting national media attention, though, a representative for Starbucks announced they were overturning the ban.

Vice

She appealed the violations: If they are overturned, she will, at least on paper, have a chance at parole in September; otherwise she will stay behind bars until March 2014.

The New York Times

The three-month state of emergency, approved by parliament on Thursday by 346 votes to 115, will allow the government to rule by decree, passing bills that have the force of law unless they are overturned by parliament, where the majority of MPs belong to the ruling Justice and Development party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were overturned", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to (e.g., decisions, rulings, verdicts). This prevents ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were overturned" without clearly establishing the referent of "they". Unclear antecedents can confuse readers and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were overturned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a previously established decision, ruling, or verdict has been reversed or nullified. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were overturned" is a grammatically sound passive construction, primarily employed to describe the reversal or nullification of prior decisions, rulings, or verdicts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's correctly used and well-suited for neutral and formal contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. The phrase is most effective when the referent of "they" is clearly established to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "they were reversed" or "they were rescinded" exist, "they were overturned" carries a specific connotation of formal reversal, making it a valuable tool in precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were reversed

Focuses on the action of something being turned in the opposite direction or order.

they were rescinded

Emphasizes the cancellation or withdrawal of a law, order, or agreement.

they were invalidated

Highlights the declaration of something as not valid or legitimate.

they were nullified

Stresses the act of making something legally void or ineffective.

they were repealed

Specifically refers to the revocation or annulment of a law or act.

they were revoked

Indicates the official cancellation of a decree, license, or privilege.

they were quashed

Implies the suppression or rejection of something, often a legal decision.

they were set aside

Suggests the act of disregarding or ignoring something, often for legal reasons.

they were vacated

Refers to the act of annulling or canceling a judgment or order.

they were overruled

Specifically refers to a higher authority reversing a lower authority's decision.

FAQs

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

Use "they were overturned" to describe a situation where previous decisions or rulings have been reversed or canceled. For example, "The initial convictions were appealed, and ultimately, "they were overturned" by the Supreme Court".

What are some alternatives to "they were overturned"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they were reversed", "they were rescinded", or "they were invalidated", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "the decision was overturned" or "they were overturned"?

Both are correct, but "the decision was overturned" is used when referring to a single decision, while "they were overturned" is used when referring to multiple decisions, rulings, or convictions.

What's the difference between "they were overturned" and "they were rejected"?

"They were overturned" typically implies a formal reversal by a higher authority or through a legal process. "They were rejected", on the other hand, suggests a refusal to accept or approve something, without necessarily implying a reversal of an existing decision.