they were shared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were shared' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was shared among people or groups, such as in the following example: "The pictures of the party were so funny that they were shared among all of the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They were shared with HMRC in 2010.

Independent

As a result when captured, they were shared.

Harvard University

When their parents died they were shared amongst their uncles.

The Economist

And they were shared experiences, which probably increases intimacy more than an unshared experience.

University of California, Berkeley

Risible though the illusions of the subprime boom were, they were shared by millions of people.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the addresses were put in the wrong section of the email, which meant they were shared with other victims.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

They were sharing a cherry Coke.

The New Yorker

Others were directed to concentrate on information they were sharing.

Columbia University

But here, he went on, they were sharing trust.

The New York Times

And they were sharing a great American experience together".

The Guardian

They were sharing a pizza with two other lacrosse players.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were shared", ensure the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific, previously mentioned noun or group of nouns to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were shared" if the referent of "they" is ambiguous or unclear. Always ensure the reader can easily identify what "they" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were shared" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of items or pieces of information underwent the action of being distributed or made accessible to others. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were shared" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating that items or information were distributed among multiple recipients. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most commonly in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When using "they were shared", ensure the referent of "they" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""they were distributed"" or ""they were circulated"" can be used for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were distributed

Focuses on the act of spreading or giving out something to multiple recipients, emphasizing the distribution aspect.

they were circulated

Emphasizes the movement of something among a group, highlighting the process of dissemination.

they were disseminated

Implies a formal or widespread distribution, often used in academic or official contexts.

they were communicated

Highlights the act of conveying information or ideas to others.

they were made public

Emphasizes the act of revealing something to a wider audience.

they were divulged

Suggests revealing confidential or secret information.

they were jointly held

Focuses on the aspect of common ownership or possession.

they were mutually enjoyed

Highlights the shared experience of pleasure or benefit.

they were commonly used

Emphasizes the widespread adoption or application of something.

they were exchanged

Focuses on the act of giving and receiving reciprocally.

FAQs

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

Use "they were shared" to indicate that something was distributed or made available to multiple people or entities. For example, "The documents were confidential, but "they were shared" with the team members."

What are some alternatives to saying "they were shared"?

Alternatives include "they were distributed", "they were circulated", or "they were disseminated" depending on the context.

Is it always clear what "they" refers to when using "they were shared"?

No, ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear referent in your sentence to avoid ambiguity. If the referent is unclear, rephrase the sentence for clarity.

In what kind of writing is "they were shared" appropriate?

"They were shared" is appropriate in various writing contexts, from formal reports to informal communication, as long as the meaning is clear and the pronoun reference is unambiguous.