they were quieted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were quieted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or a group have been calmed or silenced, often in response to noise or unrest. Example: "After the announcement, they were quieted, allowing the speaker to continue without interruption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Eventually, they were quieted.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They were quiet.

The Economist

They were quiet acts".

The New York Times

At first they were quiet.

The New Yorker

It meant they were quiet.

The New York Times - Arts

They were quieter cases.

The New York Times

"They were quiet people.

The Guardian

They were quiet for a moment.

The New Yorker

They were quiet and a little sad.

The New Yorker

Then they were quiet for a bit.

The New Yorker

Then they were quiet on the subject.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were quieted" when you want to emphasize the action of someone or something causing a group to become quiet, rather than simply stating that they became quiet on their own. For example, "After the announcement, "they were quieted" by the speaker's commanding presence".

Common error

While "they were quieted" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider using the active voice instead, such as "Someone quieted them" or "The speaker quieted them", for a more impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were quieted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group of people underwent the action of being made quiet. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis, which identifies it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were quieted" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the act of making a group of people quiet. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively rare, with examples primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether the passive voice is the most effective choice, or if an active construction might be more impactful. Alternatives like "they became silent" or "they were hushed" may also be suitable depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they fell silent

Emphasizes the suddenness of becoming quiet.

they became silent

Focuses on the result of becoming silent, rather than the action of being quieted.

they were silenced

Implies a more forceful silencing, potentially against their will.

they were hushed

Suggests a gentle quieting, often with a soft sound.

they were pacified

Implies that they were quieted by fulfilling a need or allaying a concern.

they calmed down

Focuses on the emotional state of becoming calm, leading to quiet.

their voices subsided

Specifically refers to the reduction of noise from voices.

the uproar ceased

Highlights the ending of a noisy disturbance.

the noise abated

Shifts the focus from the people to the overall level of noise decreasing.

they stopped talking

A simpler, more direct way of saying they became quiet.

FAQs

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

"They were quieted" is used to describe a situation where individuals or a group have been calmed or silenced. For example: "After the initial commotion, "they were quieted", allowing the meeting to proceed".

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

You can use alternatives like "they became silent", "they were hushed", or "they calmed down" depending on the context.

Is "they were quieted" formal or informal?

"They were quieted" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more direct alternatives might be preferred in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "they were quieted" and "they were silent"?

"They were quieted" implies an external force or action caused them to be quiet, while "they were silent" simply describes their state of being quiet without indicating a cause.