they were reported

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were reported" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, typically when discussing an event or situation that has been reported by someone or some source. Example: "The company's profits have been declining over the past year, and they were reported to be even lower in the current quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Many UFOs seen in 1946 were dubbed "ghost rockets" because they were reported as missile- or rocket-shaped.

Huffington Post

They were reported as missing on Monday.

Independent

They were reported from Brooklyn, not Manhattan.

The New York Times

They were reported later, but evidence was no longer fresh.

The New York Times

"They will forgive me my trespasses as they were reported".

The New York Times

Last year they were reported at Fox offices.

The New York Times

On Tuesday afternoon, they were reported as saved.

The Guardian

They were reported to be in reasonable condition.

The Washington Post

They were reported missing again on 24 August.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They were reported to have discussed a forthcoming visit by Hariri to Damascus.

The Guardian

The list includes people who may not know they were reported missing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were reported" when you want to emphasize the information itself rather than the source or the act of reporting. For example, "The financial losses were reported to be significant" focuses on the losses.

Common error

While "they were reported" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Ensure you balance passive constructions with active voice for a more engaging and direct style. Consider rewriting the sentence in the active voice if the source of the report is important: "Sources reported the financial losses were significant."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were reported" functions as a passive construction, indicating that information or events concerning a subject ('they') have been formally communicated or documented. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were reported" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to convey information that has been formally communicated or documented. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and general knowledge domains. While appropriate for neutral and formal writing, be mindful of potential overuse of passive voice. Alternatives include active constructions such as "it was announced" or "sources confirmed", depending on the desired emphasis. This phrase is most frequently found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sources confirmed

Emphasizes the verification of information by reliable sources.

it was announced

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction focusing on the announcement itself.

the findings indicated

More formal, typically used in academic or scientific contexts.

it has been stated

Similar to "they were reported" but emphasizes the act of stating something.

it was documented

Emphasizes the act of documenting or recording something officially.

it came to light

Indicates that something previously unknown has become known.

it was revealed

Suggests that something hidden or secret has been made public.

information surfaced

Focuses on the appearance of information, often implying a discovery.

details emerged

Highlights the gradual unfolding of information over time.

it was understood

Suggests a general consensus or implicit knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "they were reported" to indicate that something has been documented or conveyed through some reporting mechanism. For example: "The missing hikers "they were reported" safe after being found by rescuers."

What are some alternatives to "they were reported"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was announced", "it has been stated", or "sources confirmed" as alternatives to "they were reported".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "they were reported"?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on your emphasis. "They were reported" (passive) emphasizes the information. An active construction such as "Sources reported" emphasizes the source.

What does "they were reported to be" mean?

"They were reported to be" means that information suggests a particular state or condition. Example: "The rescued artifacts "they were reported to be" in good condition after the recovery."