they were processed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were processed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to the handling or treatment of items, data, or individuals in a systematic manner. Example: "After the applications were submitted, they were processed within a week to ensure timely responses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said contamination of spices and pickles might occur on occasion because they were processed by many small manufacturers.

The New York Times

They were processed and released but did not yet have court dates.

The Guardian

Along with Canada and America, it resettled thousands of Vietnamese after they were processed through refugee camps in Malaysia.

The Economist

From 1892 through 1954, the CRRNJ Terminal was used by immigrants after they were processed at Ellis Island; from here they continued their journey to their new home.

The New York Times

In Kaija Saariaho's "NoaNoa" (1992), elements of Ms. Monson's flute line took on lives of their own as they were processed by a computer.

The New York Times - Arts

If they were processed in the usual way, the natural alcohol content of the resulting wine would be over the 12.5% limit.

The Economist

Don Horton, the executive director of the Bend park district, said the geese were sent to a slaughterhouse, where they were processed and smoked, at $15 a bird.

The New York Times

Histogram equalization was applied to these images before they were processed by the feature extractor.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

All fecal samples were immediately frozen and stored at −80 °C until they were processed.

AMB Express

The samples were maintained at 4°C until they were processed within 1 week following collection.

International Aquatic Research

If raw herbs were involved, obtain information about the parts used and how they were processed.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were processed", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what "they" refers to. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were processed" if the subject performing the processing is unclear. Specify who did the processing to enhance clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were processed" functions as a passive verb phrase. Ludwig AI examples show it describing actions performed on a subject, indicating a procedure or treatment has occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were processed" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive verb phrase, particularly in scientific and news-related contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in describing the systematic handling or treatment of subjects. While it's important to ensure the antecedent is clear to avoid ambiguity, this phrase effectively conveys that a specific action has been performed on a group of items, data, or individuals. Alternatives such as "they were handled" or "they underwent processing" can be used to provide variety in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they underwent processing

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct action-oriented phrase.

they were subjected to a procedure

Emphasizes a formal or methodical treatment.

they were treated

Focuses on a specific action taken upon them.

they were handled

Highlights the act of managing or dealing with something.

they were refined

Implies improvement or purification through a process.

they were prepared

Focuses on making them ready for a subsequent step.

they were transformed

Suggests a significant change in form or nature.

they were put through their paces

Highlights rigorous testing or assessment.

they went through the mill

Implies a difficult or taxing experience.

they were worked on

A simple phrase indicating effort was applied to them.

FAQs

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

Use "they were processed" to describe a systematic treatment or handling of items, data, or individuals. For example, "After the samples arrived, "they were processed" in the lab."

What are some alternatives to "they were processed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were handled", "they were treated", or "they underwent processing" depending on the context.

Is "they were processed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were processed" is grammatically correct. It is a passive construction indicating that a group or set of items underwent a specific procedure or treatment.

In what contexts is "they were processed" commonly used?

"They were processed" is commonly used in scientific writing, news reports, and formal documents to describe systematic actions taken on subjects or data.