they were requested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were requested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been asked to do something, often in a formal or polite context. Example: "They were requested to submit their reports by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the same time, they were requested to evaluate existing digital libraries by applying the criteria that they were developing.

Library & Information Science Research

"They were requested to contribute funds to have these parts replaced before the water source can be installed.

The Guardian

They were requested to answer questionnaires about drinking and smoking habits, and underwent urinalysis, physical and peripheral blood examinations, blood chemistry, electrocardiogram and chest x-rays.

Metabolism

Ms. Blackwell, the company spokeswoman, said some documents were mistakenly destroyed after they were requested in court because of human error.

The New York Times

They were requested next to pause for a few minutes, and then produce a poem which in some way derived from that process of minute observation.

The Guardian - Books

She had intended to exhibit older works, but they were requested at the last minute for an important show in Spain.

The New York Times

She initially intended to exhibit older works, but they were requested at the last minute for an important show in Spain.

The New York Times

In both cases, volunteers were in an awake resting state: they were requested to stay lying with eyes closed, without performing any task.

Nature

They were requested 820,000 times by various internet devices.

BBC

Then, they were requested to read the learning materials in 20 min.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

If uncomfortable, they were requested to suggest solutions to address the issue.

Pastoralism

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were requested", ensure the context is clear about who "they" refers to, especially in longer texts. For clarity, directly name the group or individuals before using the pronoun.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "they" has a clear and unambiguous referent. If the subject is unclear, replace "they" with the specific group or individuals to avoid confusion. For example, instead of "They were requested to attend", write "The students were requested to attend."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were requested" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) received a request from an unspecified agent. According to Ludwig, this phrasing is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were requested" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates a request was made. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts. It is most commonly found in scientific, news and media, and formal business settings. While its formality leans towards neutral to formal, ensuring clarity in pronoun reference is crucial. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "they were asked" or "they were invited" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were asked

This is a more direct and less formal synonym for "they were requested".

it was requested of them

This alternative rephrases the sentence structure to highlight the request itself.

they were invited

This suggests a gentler, more encouraging prompting than "they were requested".

a request was made for them

This shifts the focus to the action of requesting, rather than the recipients.

they were prompted

This suggests that "they were requested" after some prior event or encouragement.

their participation was solicited

This is a more formal and professional way to express that "they were requested" to participate.

they received a request

This emphasizes the receipt of the request, rather than the action taken.

they were called upon

This suggests a formal or ceremonial request, often implying a duty or obligation.

they were directed

This implies an instruction or order, which is stronger than a simple request.

they were instructed

This indicates a higher degree of authority than a mere request implies.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they were requested" is typically used to indicate that a group or individuals were asked to do something, often in a formal context. For example, "They were requested to submit their reports by Friday."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were asked", "they were invited", or "it was requested of them" depending on the context.

Is "they were requested" formal or informal?

The phrase "they were requested" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "they were asked". It's suitable for official communications or contexts where a degree of politeness is required.

What is the difference between "they were requested" and "they were required"?

"They were requested" implies a polite or formal invitation or asking, while "they were required" suggests a mandatory obligation or necessity. The former is a suggestion, the latter is a rule.