they were provided

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were provided" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an item or items that were given to someone or a group of people. Example sentence: The hungry visitors were provided with a meal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were provided….

The New Yorker

They were provided with water.

The New York Times

They were provided by other electronics enthusiasts.

Cornell University

They were provided with advance copies by the publisher.

The New York Times - Books

If none of the workers got rich, at least they were provided decent housing.

The New York Times

They were provided with a fine house but only a single bed.

The New Yorker

Thanks to intelligence they were provided, the inspectors recently found dramatic confirmation of these reports.

The Guardian

At about ten in the morning, they were provided with plastic chairs.

The New Yorker

Until 2004, they were provided by the EU, but are now provided by member states.

The Guardian

Fadl's older children spoke only Arabic, and they were provided with tutors for their schooling.

The New Yorker

They were provided by the Middle East Media Research Institute in Washington.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were provided" when you want to emphasize the act of someone providing something to a group, rather than the group receiving it. This passive construction is suitable for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid switching to active voice mid-sentence after using "they were provided". Maintain consistency by focusing on what was provided, not who provided it, to keep the emphasis on the recipients.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were provided" functions as a passive construction, where the subject (they) receives the action of being provided something. This is used to shift focus from the provider to the recipients, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were provided" is a grammatically correct and versatile passive construction used to indicate that a group of people received something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. It's particularly frequent in news, scientific writing and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, maintain consistency in voice and consider alternatives like "they received" or "they were given" to best suit the specific context and desired emphasis. Remember to focus on clarity and avoid switching to active voice mid-sentence to ensure your writing remains effective and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were given

Uses a more direct and common verb for offering something.

they received

Focuses on the act of receiving rather than the act of providing.

they obtained

Emphasizes the result of acquiring something, often through effort.

they were supplied with

Similar to 'furnished with' but slightly less formal.

they were furnished with

More formal and emphasizes the act of equipping or supplying.

they were equipped with

Specifically implies that items needed for a purpose were offered.

they were afforded

Implies the provision of an opportunity or advantage.

they had access to

Highlights the ability to use or benefit from something.

provisions were made for them

Shifts the focus to the arrangements made for them.

they were granted

Implies formal permission or authorization to receive something.

FAQs

How do I use "they were provided" in a sentence?

Use "they were provided" when you want to emphasize that a group received something. For example, "After the storm, "they were provided" with shelter and food."

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

You can use alternatives like "they received", "they were given", or "they obtained depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "they were provided with" or "they were provided"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "they were provided with" is often clearer because it directly specifies what was given. However, ""they were provided"" is acceptable if the object is clear from the context.

What's the difference between "they were provided" and "they received"?

"They were provided" emphasizes the act of giving, while "they received" focuses on the act of getting. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the provider or the recipient.