they were placed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were placed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as a past tense verb in the third person plural. For example: "After the items were unpacked, they were placed in their respective spots."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were placed on probation.

The New York Times

"They were placed in cages.

The Guardian

They were placed with a "substitute family".

The New York Times

They were placed in an impossible position.

The New York Times

Unsatisfactorily, they were placed either side of the stage.

The Guardian - Music

They were placed in different rooms, approximately one mile apart.

The Guardian

"They were placed into foster care for some reason.

The New York Times

And eventually, they were placed aboard a passing ship.

The New York Times

After the war, they were placed in a tent in Al Amari refugee camp.

The New York Times

First, before moving the hospitals into HealthTrust, they were placed in another company.

The New York Times

Three weeks later, they were placed in the Parkview Hotel, a shelter in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were placed" to emphasize the passive nature of the action, focusing on the result of the placement rather than the actor.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "they were placed", as excessive use can make your writing sound vague and less engaging. Consider using active voice when appropriate to clarify who performed the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were placed" functions primarily as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subjects of the sentence underwent an action performed by an unspecified or less important agent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

56%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0.000001%

Encyclopedias

0.000001%

Social Media

0.000001%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were placed" is a common and grammatically sound passive voice construction used to describe a state resulting from an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently encountered in both news and scientific contexts. While versatile, it is important to ensure clarity in pronoun reference and to avoid overuse of the passive voice to maintain engaging writing. Consider alternatives like "they were positioned" or they were assigned for nuanced meaning. Always choose the wording that best conveys the intended emphasis and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they got positioned

Focuses on the action of positioning rather than just the state of being placed.

they were situated

Emphasizes the physical location or arrangement of something.

they were located

Specifically refers to the act of finding their position.

they ended up

Highlights the final state or location as a result of an action or circumstance.

they were set

Indicates a deliberate action of positioning or arranging.

they were assigned

Indicates that they were given a specific task or role.

they were stationed

Implies that they were positioned for a specific purpose, often military or official.

they were arranged

Focuses on the order or configuration in which they were placed.

they were installed

Implies a more permanent or fixed positioning.

they were deposited

Suggests a less careful or formal action of placing.

FAQs

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

To use active voice, rephrase the sentence to emphasize the actor. For example, instead of "they were placed in the box", you could say "someone placed them in the box" or "the team placed them carefully".

What is a more formal alternative to "they were placed"?

In formal writing, you might consider using phrases like "they were positioned", "they were situated", or "they were assigned" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of saying "they were placed in charge", you could say "they were assigned to the task".

How does the meaning of "they were placed" change with different prepositions?

The meaning shifts depending on the preposition used. "They were placed in" indicates enclosure or containment, while "they were placed on" suggests surface contact or support. "They were placed near" indicates proximity.

Is "they were placed" always grammatically correct?

While generally correct, ensure that the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent and that the context warrants the passive voice. Avoid using it when the actor is known and relevant to the sentence's meaning.