they were sent

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were sent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something has been sent to a different location. For example: "They were sent to London on business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were sent to Kilby.

The New York Times

They were sent to bed.

The New Yorker

They were sent home.

The New York Times

The words appear as they were sent.

The New York Times

They were sent back on indefinite loan.

The New York Times - Arts

In fact they were sent to Bermuda.

The Economist

They were sent to nine area hospitals.

The New York Times

They were sent to the community.

The Guardian

Duly punished, they were sent home.

The Guardian

"They were sent to the desert.

The New Yorker

They were sent home a week after their capture.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were sent", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what initiated the action. For example, "They were sent by the manager" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining who "they" refers to. If the subject is unclear, rephrase the sentence to specify the individuals or items being sent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were sent" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group of people or items were the recipients of an action. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts where an external force initiates the sending.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were sent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to indicate that a group of individuals or items experienced a directed action, being dispatched to a specific location or purpose. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, followed by science and academic contexts. To use it effectively, ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to and who initiated the action. While versatile, maintaining clarity and context will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were dispatched

Synonymous; emphasizes the act of being officially sent.

they were directed

Focuses on the instruction or command to go somewhere.

they were mailed

Specifically refers to sending something through postal services.

they were transferred

Implies a change of location or assignment.

they were transported

Focuses on the physical movement of people or things.

they were shipped

Suggests sending goods via a shipping service.

they were consigned

Formal term indicating assignment or transfer.

they were deported

Specifically refers to being sent out of a country.

they were banished

Indicates being sent away as a form of punishment.

they were exiled

Similar to banished, but often implies a longer duration.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they were sent" indicates a passive action where a group of people or items were dispatched to a specific location or for a specific purpose. For example: "They were sent to the conference to represent the company."

What's the difference between "they were sent" and "they went"?

"They were sent" implies an external force or decision caused them to go, whereas "they went" simply states they moved to another location without specifying the cause. The first is passive, the second is active.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were dispatched", "they were directed", or "they were transferred" depending on the context.

Is "they were send" grammatically correct instead of "they were sent"?

No, "they were send" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle form of "send" is "sent". Therefore, the correct phrase is "they were sent".