they were perceived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were perceived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how individuals or groups are viewed or understood by others, often in the context of opinions or interpretations. Example: "In the study, it was found that they were perceived as leaders in their field, despite their lack of formal titles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There they were perceived as old-fashioned and countrified.

Britannica

Instead, they were perceived by the Court as seeking unreasonable accommodations for themselves.

Harvard University

Many of our 71 leaders were surprised to discover that they were perceived as hypocritical.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Mitchell warned that U.S. universities needed to ensure that they were perceived as being safe.

The New York Times

But they are also convinced that Republicans lost the midterms in part because they were perceived as arrogant and divisive.

The Washington Post

Or because they were perceived as a couple who might eventually have children, bringing disruption to the building?

The New York Times

They were perceived as needing to win now, even though Johnson insisted their jobs were not in jeopardy.

The New York Times - Sports

Unlike bank deposits, the funds weren't covered by federal deposit insurance, but they were perceived as equally safe.

The New Yorker

Rather, they were perceived to be more correct, and the decision maker seemed more morally assured than other potential leaders.

The New York Times - Health

Not because women are worse musicians than men but because they were perceived that way by auditioners.

Harvard Business Review

Filled intervals were timed more precisely and they were perceived as longer than empty intervals of the same duration.

Behavioural Processes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were perceived", ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who is doing the perceiving.

Common error

Avoid presenting "they were perceived" as an absolute truth. This phrase indicates an opinion or belief, not necessarily an objective reality. Qualify the statement by identifying who held the perception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were perceived" functions as a passive construction, indicating how a group or entity was viewed or understood by others. Ludwig examples show it expressing widespread opinions or beliefs rather than objective facts. The Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were perceived" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for expressing how something was viewed or understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for conveying subjective impressions or opinions rather than objective facts. Its neutral register makes it versatile across various contexts, including News & Media, Science and Academia. When writing, remember to clarify who held the perception and avoid presenting it as an absolute truth. Consider alternatives like "they were seen" or "they were regarded" for subtle variations in meaning. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources highlights its acceptance and usefulness in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were seen

Replaces "perceived" with "seen", focusing on visual observation or general understanding.

they were regarded

Substitutes "perceived" with "regarded", emphasizing a considered opinion or judgment.

they were viewed

Uses "viewed" instead of "perceived", highlighting a particular perspective or angle.

they were considered

Replaces "perceived" with "considered", suggesting a more formal or deliberate evaluation.

they were thought of

Emphasizes the mental impression or idea that people had about them.

they were understood

Focuses on comprehension and grasping the nature of something.

they were known as

Highlights a common recognition or reputation.

they were deemed

Implies a formal or official judgment or assessment.

people viewed them as

Rephrases to explicitly state that people held a certain view.

it was the perception that they were

Makes the perception the subject, adding a layer of formality.

FAQs

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

Use "they were perceived" to describe how a group or individuals were viewed by others. For example, "Despite their efforts, "they were perceived" as underachievers by their management".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were seen", "they were regarded", or "they were viewed", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they are perceived" instead of "they were perceived"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "they are perceived" describes a current perception, while ""they were perceived"" describes a past perception. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the perception.

What is the difference between "they were perceived as" and "they were perceived to be"?

While both phrases are similar, "they were perceived as" directly categorizes them, whereas "they were perceived to be" suggests a more nuanced or qualified judgment. For example, "they were perceived as leaders" versus "they were perceived to be influential, though not formally in charge".