they were retrieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were retrieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to items or data that have been collected or brought back from a specific location or source. Example: "After the search was completed, they were retrieved from the database for further analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

They were retrieved by a British ship.

The New York Times

Only after they were retrieved did workers learn how the vent could be opened manually.

The New Yorker

But they were retrieved and displayed as part of a touring exhibit of Russian fossils last year.

The New York Times

They were retrieved by a United Nations mission that was checking the effects of depleted uranium weapons.

The New York Times

They were retrieved during a huge and continuing investigation into organized crime by a specialized team in the Italian public prosecutions department, the museum said.

The New York Times - Arts

They were retrieved by his young female black Labrador, Lucy, and Johnson had to restrain his own black Lab, a young male called Moses, from horning in on the effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

They were retrieving and frolicking.

The New Yorker

Now they were retrieving shards of pottery from someone's cellar.

The New Yorker

Only adults showed a sophisticated pattern of activity when they were retrieving source memory information, said the study's lead author, Volker Sprondel, a psychologist at Saarland.

The New York Times - Science

It was the draw for El Gordo, the huge Christmas lottery, and there they were retrieving their balls from huge rotating baskets and chanting numbers, over and over, for hours, like mini Gregorian monks.

The Guardian - Sport

Once they are retrieved, the information they contain is transferred to a computer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "they were retrieved" with more specific verbs like "extracted", "collected", or "recovered" to provide greater clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "they were retrieved" as it can make your writing sound vague or indirect. Whenever possible, rewrite the sentence in active voice to emphasize the actor, for example, "The team retrieved them."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were retrieved" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (represented by "they") underwent the action of being retrieved. Ludwig's examples demonstrate usage across various contexts, from scientific data to historical artifacts. This construction emphasizes the object of the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were retrieved" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, predominantly found in science and news media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and serves to emphasize that a subject has undergone the action of being recovered or brought back. While versatile, opting for active voice constructions can sometimes enhance clarity and directness. Understanding the contexts and nuances of its usage allows for effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were recovered

Maintains a similar passive voice construction, highlighting the action of being brought back to a previous state or location.

they were collected

Highlights the action of gathering items together, suggesting a systematic gathering process.

they got recovered

Emphasizes the process of regaining possession or condition, focusing on the action of recovery.

they were extracted

Focuses on the action of pulling something out or removing it from a specific source or location.

they were obtained

Emphasizes the acquisition or attainment of something, suggesting a process of gaining possession.

they were reclaimed

Suggests the act of getting something back that was previously lost or taken away, focusing on repossession.

they were regained

Highlights the restoration of something to a previous state or condition, emphasizing the act of getting it back.

they were salvaged

Focuses on rescuing or saving something from potential loss or destruction, often implying a challenging recovery.

they were accessed

Highlights the action of gaining entry or the ability to use something, focusing on the act of attaining access.

they were procured

Emphasizes the act of obtaining something, especially with care or effort, suggesting a deliberate acquisition process.

FAQs

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

Use "they were retrieved" when referring to items or data that have been collected or brought back from a specific location or source. For example, "After the experiment, they were retrieved from the lab for analysis."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were recovered", "they were collected", or "they were extracted" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice instead of "they were retrieved"?

While "they were retrieved" is grammatically correct, using active voice (e.g., "The team retrieved them") can often make your writing more direct and engaging.

What does "they were retrieved" mean?

"They were retrieved" means that a group of items or pieces of information was found and brought back from a particular location or source.