they were seen as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were seen as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when discussing how someone or something is perceived or viewed by others. Example: "In the 1920s, women were seen as mere homemakers and were not given the same opportunities as men in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were seen as novelties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were seen as too controversial and expensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were seen as inexperienced and mainly there for decoration.

The New York Times

Initially they were seen as bail-outs for greedy bankers.

The Economist

"Well, no, just the opposite; they were seen as dominant but also likable.

The New York Times - Health

They were seen as opportunities for students and families to gather and have a good time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rather than serving memory and healing wounds, they were seen as one more injury.

The New York Times

They were seen as fair-haired giants, sheathed in armor, laden with weapons and seemingly invincible.

The New York Times

Union workers were labeled communists then, and they were seen as a threat to the nation.

The New York Times

Sometimes they were seen as a curse an unwanted burden on a family's resources.

The Economist

They were seen as a nuisance, albeit an expensive one, but not a lethal threat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were seen as" when you want to express a general perception or common viewpoint about a subject. It's useful for describing historical attitudes, public opinions, or widely held beliefs.

Common error

Avoid overuse. While "they were seen as" is grammatically correct, excessively relying on passive voice can make your writing sound vague. Consider rephrasing to specify who held the view (e.g., "Critics saw them as…") for more direct and impactful communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were seen as" functions as a passive construction used to express a general perception, belief, or characterization attributed to a subject by an unspecified group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were seen as" is a versatile phrase used to convey general perceptions or common viewpoints. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and common. It's frequently found in news articles and scientific publications, making it a generally neutral expression. When writing, be mindful of overusing passive voice; specify who held the view when possible for greater impact. Alternatives include phrases like "they were regarded as" or "they were considered to be", which offer slight variations in meaning. By using "they were seen as" thoughtfully, writers can effectively communicate historical attitudes, public opinions, and widely held beliefs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were regarded as

Replaces "seen" with "regarded", emphasizing a considered judgment or assessment.

they were considered to be

Uses "considered to be" for a slightly more formal tone, highlighting evaluation.

they were perceived as

Substitutes "seen" with "perceived", focusing on sensory or intuitive understanding.

they were viewed as

Employs "viewed" instead of "seen", suggesting a mental outlook or perspective.

they were understood as

Replaces "seen" with "understood", emphasizing comprehension and interpretation.

they were known as

Changes the focus to common knowledge or recognition rather than direct observation.

they were characterized as

Shifts the focus to the attributes or qualities used to describe them.

they were labeled as

Indicates a specific categorization or classification, often with a simplifying effect.

they were depicted as

Focuses on portrayal or representation, particularly in art or media.

people considered them as

Restructures the sentence to emphasize what "people" considered them to be.

FAQs

How can I use "they were seen as" in a sentence?

Use "they were seen as" to indicate a general perception or common viewpoint. For example, "In the past, women "they were seen as" primarily responsible for childcare".

What are some alternatives to "they were seen as"?

Alternatives include "they were regarded as", "they were considered to be", or "they were perceived as", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "they were seen as" and "they were considered as"?

"They were seen as" suggests a general observation or perception, while "they were considered as" implies a more thoughtful evaluation or judgment. Though similar, "considered" adds a layer of deliberation.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "they were seen as"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can weaken your writing. When possible, consider using an active voice construction to specify who held the view (e.g., "Critics saw them as innovative" instead of ""they were seen as" innovative").