they were rejected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were rejected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where individuals or items were not accepted or chosen, often in contexts like applications, proposals, or auditions. Example: "After the interview process, they were rejected for the position due to a lack of experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were rejected.

The New York Times

They were rejected and only superficial changes were made.

The New York Times

They were rejected in favour of the slogan "enosis and only enosis".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The news that they were rejected because their armor wasn't historically accurate left them sputtering.

The New York Times - Magazine

The proposals have come before MPs again because they were rejected by the Lords.

The Guardian

Now, they are glad they were rejected by the co-op board.

The New York Times

Edward Maunder and William Huggins were among those who signed support, but they were rejected.

The Guardian

"I offered them and they were rejected, so my conscience is very clear".

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Grant said they were rejected by the committee that is assembling the definitive compendium of the artist's work.

The New York Times - Arts

"They were rejected, if they looked too rich or too risky," Mr. LaVera, the Energy Department spokesman said.

The New York Times

But they were rejected, as an effort to divide and rule, and the government insisted the elections would go ahead.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain a professional tone by focusing on the factual aspect of the rejection rather than emotional reactions. Instead of saying "They were devastated when they were rejected", opt for "They acknowledged the rejection and proceeded with alternative plans".

Common error

Avoid using "they were rejected" without specifying the reason or the entity that did the rejecting. For example, instead of saying "They were rejected", specify "They were rejected by the admissions committee due to insufficient qualifications".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were rejected" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject ('they') received the action of being rejected by an unspecified agent. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were rejected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction used to communicate that a group or set of items has not been accepted or chosen. Ludwig's analysis reveals it to be common across various sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, indicating its broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to provide context to clarify the reason for rejection and who did the rejecting. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is well-established and suitable for formal and informal writing, with many alternatives available to suit different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their offer was refused

Emphasizes a direct refusal of an offer, be it a job, deal, or suggestion.

their proposal was turned down

Highlights a proposal not being accepted, often in a business or academic setting.

their request was denied

Specifically addresses a request being turned down, often in a formal context.

their application was denied

Focuses specifically on a formal application process being unsuccessful.

they were not approved

Focuses on a lack of official endorsement or sanction.

they were not chosen

Indicates a failure to be selected from a group of candidates.

they were spurned

Implies a more emotional or personal rejection.

they faced refusal

Focuses on the act of being refused or denied, indicating a confrontation with rejection.

they were unsuccessful

Implies a failure to achieve a desired outcome.

they did not succeed

Indicates a lack of success in achieving a goal or objective.

FAQs

What does "they were rejected" mean?

The phrase "they were rejected" means that a group of people or a set of items were not accepted, approved, or chosen for something.

What are some alternatives to "they were rejected"?

Alternatives to "they were rejected" include phrases like "their application was denied", "their offer was refused", or "they were unsuccessful", depending on the context.

Is "they were rejected" formal or informal?

"They were rejected" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

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

You can use "they were rejected" in a sentence like this: "Despite their best efforts, "they were rejected" from the competition".