they were removed

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were removed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something that has been taken away from its original position or circumstance. For example: "The graffiti on the bridge was so offensive that the town council had it removed quickly. In a matter of days, they were removed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were removed from the trial.

The New York Times - Health

Zolbe: "They were removed during a renovation".

The New Yorker

They were removed in summer for ventilation.

Biosystems Engineering

That's why they were removed," Bourke said.

The Washington Post

Eventually they were removed to safety by helicopter.

The Guardian

During the Reformation, they were removed from churches.

The Guardian - Books

Briefly, they were removed and stored at −80°C.

Nature

They were removed by guards who locked the doors.

The Times

They were removed from the endangered list in 2007.

The Washington Post

They were removed from our society". The phone rings.

The Guardian

When and how they were removed remains in dispute.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were removed", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "The outdated regulations were hindering progress, so they were removed."

Common error

Avoid using "they were removed" without a clear antecedent. Instead of saying "They were removed," specify what was removed: "The flawed assumptions were removed from the study."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were removed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subjects (represented by "they") underwent the action of being taken away or eliminated by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were removed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive voice construction, as determined by Ludwig. It serves to communicate the act of taking away or eliminating items, people, or elements from a context, applicable across various registers, and most common in news, scientific, and academic settings. To enhance clarity, ensure the antecedent of "they" is clear. Alternatives like "they were eliminated" or "they were taken out" can be used based on the specific context. Understanding its function and typical usage helps ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were eliminated

Synonymous, but uses a more formal verb.

they got eliminated

Focuses on the elimination aspect, which is a more informal verb.

they were taken out

More informal and emphasizes the physical act of taking something away.

they were withdrawn

Implies a deliberate act of pulling something back or away.

they were excluded

Focuses on the act of being left out or not included, rather than physically removed.

they were extracted

Implies careful or forceful removal, often in a scientific or technical context.

they were detached

Suggests separation from something else, rather than complete removal.

they were discarded

Implies the items were no longer needed, and disposed of.

they were dismissed

Specifically refers to being removed from a job or position.

they were ousted

Implies forceful removal, often from a position of power.

FAQs

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

Use "they were removed" to indicate that a group of items or individuals have been taken away or eliminated. For instance, "Because the data was unreliable, "they were removed" from the analysis."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were eliminated", "they were taken out", or "they were excluded" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "they were removed" or "they got removed"?

"They were removed" is generally considered more formal than "they got removed". "They got removed" is acceptable in informal conversation, while ""they were removed"" is more appropriate for formal writing and speech.

What's the difference between "they were removed" and "they were replaced"?

"They were removed" means that something was taken away and not substituted. "They were replaced" indicates that something was taken away and substituted with something else. For example, "The old chairs were removed" means the chairs are gone, while "The old chairs were replaced with new ones" means the old chairs are gone, and new chairs have taken their place.