they were recognised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were recognised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who have been identified or acknowledged in some way, often in a formal or official context. Example: "At the award ceremony, they were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It was important to them to hear they were recognised outside Spain," Hall said.

The Guardian - Music

Our grandparents and some of our parents were taught these skills at school because they were recognised as vital.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were recognised as "identified encroachers", a status guaranteeing compensation in the event that the government bulldozed their shanties.

The Economist

At home they were recognised as two of Australian music's most distinctive voices; in the UK, Belle and Sebastian and Teenage Fanclub championed their influence.

The Guardian

It took time to become established and scale up ambition, and it took 11 years before they were recognised in the Arts Council's 2012-15 rofnd ofundingng.

The Guardian

But it was not until they had a group exhibition in 1874 that they were recognised as fighting for a common cause.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Today they are recognised as an influential, moneyed elite.

The Economist

We want people to feel that they are recognised and rewarded for the work they do.

The Guardian

Until they are recognised as civil heroes we are far from closing the chapter.

The Guardian - Sport

The bottom line is that artists get nominated for the prize because they are recognised as good.

The Guardian - Arts

It lets every member – young or old – of our LGBT community know that they are recognised and valued, not excluded.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were recognised" when indicating that a group or entity has been formally or publicly acknowledged for a particular quality, achievement, or characteristic. Ensure the context clearly identifies who is doing the recognising.

Common error

Avoid using "they was recognised". "They" is plural, requiring the plural verb form "were". Using "was" creates a grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were recognised" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group or entity was the recipient of recognition. It emphasizes the state of being acknowledged, rather than the act of acknowledging. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were recognised" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that indicates acknowledgment or validation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s appropriate for a range of contexts, especially in news, science, and formal settings. While alternatives like "they were identified" or "they were acknowledged" can be used for nuanced meanings, it is essential to maintain correct subject-verb agreement. Usage analysis indicates that this phrase is frequently used in news and media, followed by scientific publications. Be sure to consider the context and intended meaning when choosing between "they were recognised" and its related phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were identified

Replaces 'recognised' with 'identified', focusing on the act of being pinpointed or distinguished.

they were acknowledged

Substitutes 'recognised' with 'acknowledged', highlighting the act of admitting or accepting their presence or importance.

they were distinguished

Replaces 'recognised' with 'distinguished', focusing on setting them apart from others.

they were known

Substitutes 'recognised' with 'known', emphasizing familiarity or awareness.

they were celebrated

Replaces 'recognised' with 'celebrated', indicating public praise and honor.

they were accredited

Substitutes 'recognised' with 'accredited', focusing on formal approval or certification.

they were spotted

Replaces 'recognised' with 'spotted', highlighting a more casual or visual identification.

they were understood

Substitutes 'recognised' with 'understood', emphasizing comprehension of their qualities or actions.

they gained recognition

Changes the sentence structure to an active voice, focusing on the act of gaining recognition rather than being recognised.

they became famous

Replaces 'recognised' with 'became famous', focusing on achieving widespread recognition.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were recognised" to indicate that a group received acknowledgment. For example, "they were recognised for their contributions to the field of science".

What's the difference between "they were recognised" and "they were identified"?

"They were recognised" implies acknowledgment or approval, whereas "they were identified" simply means they were pinpointed or distinguished.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were acknowledged", "they were celebrated", or "they gained recognition" depending on the context.

Is "they were recognised as" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were recognised as" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate the capacity or role in which they were acknowledged. For example, "they were recognised as leaders in their community".