they were posted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were posted' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe when an item or items were sent. For example: "The documents were posted to the appropriate officials yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We were 650,000, they were 40 million.

The New York Times

That year they were 9.

The New York Times

But they were 511 short.

The New York Times

They were a.500 team.

Princeton University

They were 3ft long.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They were £160.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were 0 for 4 Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

(They were 2 for 7 on Thursday).

The New York Times - Sports

After Loss 17 they were 15 1/2 out.

The New York Times

By 450 they were 10 in number.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They were 40, and we were four.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were posted" when referring to the action of sending something through a formal system, such as mail or an online platform. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were posted" when a more precise verb like "sent", "displayed", or "published" would better reflect the specific action. "Posted" often implies a public or semi-public distribution, so consider if that's the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were posted" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a group of items or pieces of information were subjected to the action of being posted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and used to describe items being sent.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were posted" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the action of items or information being formally sent or displayed. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the scarcity of examples suggests it might not be the most frequent choice in general writing. Depending on the context, alternatives like "they were sent", "they were displayed", or "they were published" might be more suitable. When using "they were posted", ensure the antecedent of "they" is clear and that the context appropriately reflects a formal or documented sending action. Pay attention to the register as it shifts depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were sent

Focuses on the act of sending something, similar to posting but broader in application.

they were dispatched

Implies a formal sending, often used for official documents or goods.

they were displayed

Highlights the act of showing or making something visible.

they were published

Refers specifically to making information available to the public.

they were broadcast

Indicates a wide dissemination of information, often through media.

they were circulated

Emphasizes the act of distributing something among a group of people.

they were announced

Focuses on making a formal declaration or notification.

they were released

Implies making something available after a period of control or restriction.

they were shared

Highlights the act of distributing something informally.

they were communicated

Encompasses any means of conveying information.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were posted" to describe when items or information were formally sent or displayed. For example, "The documents were posted to the appropriate officials yesterday."

What's a good alternative to "they were posted"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "they were sent", "they were displayed", or "they were published".

Is "they were posted" formal or informal?

"They were posted" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on what was posted and how. It generally implies a documented or official sending.

What does "they" refer to when using "they were posted"?

The pronoun "they" refers to the items or information that were sent or displayed. Ensure the antecedent of "they" is clear to avoid confusion.