they were served

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were served" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone being given something to eat or drink. For example, "The guests were served dinner shortly after they arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In addition, they were served alcohol".

The New York Times

They were served tea, then a plea.

The New York Times

They were served by 900 staff members.

The Guardian - Travel

"We just know that they were served.

The New York Times

- date and time they were served.

The Guardian - Tech

They were served breaded with the mambo sauce covering them.

The New Yorker

They were served alongside quail in soy sauce.

The New York Times - Food

Many respondents said they were served water without being asked.

The New York Times

The East Coast cheeses, however, were their equal (though they were served too cold).

The New York Times

They were served atop jumbo strawberries, which had been dipped in white chocolate.

The New York Times

"They were served between two saltine crackers with a dab of yellow – always yellow – mustard".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were served", ensure the context clearly indicates what was provided. Be specific about whether it refers to food, documents, or some other form of service.

Common error

Avoid using "they were served" in contexts where the agent performing the service is unclear. Always aim for clarity by either specifying who did the serving or rewriting the sentence in active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were served" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that a group of individuals received something, such as food, drinks, or official documents. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were served" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a group of individuals received something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal and business settings. While generally neutral, the phrase can be made more impactful by specifying the agent performing the action. Alternatives include "they received" or "they were given". Overall, it’s a versatile phrase for describing the act of providing something to a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were provided with

Highlights the act of provisioning or supplying something needed.

they were given

Emphasizes the act of giving, closely related but less specific than "they were served".

they were offered

Highlights the act of offering, without necessarily implying acceptance.

they received

Focuses on the act of getting something, more general than being provided with food or drink.

they were treated to

Suggests a special or enjoyable experience of being served something.

they were presented with

More formal, suggesting a deliberate or ceremonial presentation.

they obtained

Similar to 'received' but suggests more effort in acquiring something.

they consumed

Specifically related to eating or drinking, but more clinical.

they enjoyed

Focuses on the positive experience of consuming, often food or drink.

they partook of

Formal and somewhat archaic, implies sharing or participating in something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were served" to be more active?

To use a more active voice, you can say "someone served them" or specify who did the serving. For example, instead of "they were served dinner", you could say "the waiter served them dinner".

What does "they were served" mean?

The phrase "they were served" typically means that a group of people received something, usually food, drink, or a formal notice.

Is "they were served" formal or informal?

The phrase "they were served" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and situation.

What are some alternatives to "they were served"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "they were served" include "they received", "they were given", or "they were provided with".