they were shipped

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they were shipped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an item or group of items being sent from one place to another. For example: "The new items were shipped from the factory yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were shipped, I believe, to Vladivostok.

The New Yorker

"As I say, they were shipped to Syria.

Independent

In February 2004, they were shipped to Iraq.

The New York Times

They were shipped to Hull, reputedly insured for £2600.

The Guardian

You don't even know there was clothing in them when they were shipped.

Cornell University

He waves his fist and declaims: "There were WMD, and they were shipped to Syria.

Independent

In the British original, they were shipped to the Australian rainforest – but therein lies another story.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In New York, few warehouses had the space to store materials before they were shipped.

The New York Times

They were shipped separately to my cousin, rather than as a group.

The New York Times - Tech

They were shipped off to Auschwitz, where the pregnant Salomon was killed on arrival.

The New York Times - Arts

The company recognized revenues on these products when they were shipped.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were shipped", ensure the subject is clearly defined. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were shipped" without a clear referent for "they". This can lead to confusion and require the reader to infer the subject from context. For instance, instead of just stating "they were shipped", specify "the components were shipped" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were shipped" functions as a passive voice construction. It describes an action performed upon a subject ("they") rather than by it. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were shipped" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe the transportation of items. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While its register is generally neutral, clarity is crucial when using it. Be sure to explicitly define "they" to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "they were transported" or "they were sent" for nuanced meanings. Understanding the appropriate tense and context ensures effective communication when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were transported

Focuses on the act of carrying or conveying something from one place to another; slightly more formal.

they were sent

A more general term for causing something to go to another place; lacks the specific connotation of freight or cargo.

they were dispatched

Implies an organized or official sending of something; often used in business or military contexts.

they were freighted

Specifically refers to transporting goods by freight; emphasizes the commercial aspect of shipping.

they were conveyed

A formal term for transporting or communicating something; implies careful or deliberate movement.

they were moved

A simple and direct way to express that something was relocated; lacks the implication of distance or formality.

they were forwarded

Suggests that something was sent on to a further destination; implies a relay or multi-stage shipping process.

they were routed

Emphasizes the planning and direction of the shipping process; suggests a specific path or itinerary.

they were exported

Specifically refers to shipping goods out of a country; emphasizes the international aspect of shipping.

they were delivered

Focuses on the final stage of the shipping process; emphasizes the arrival of something at its destination.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were shipped" to describe the transportation of items. For example: "The components "they were shipped" from the factory yesterday".

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

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

Which is correct, "they were shipped" or "they are shipped"?

"They were shipped" indicates a past action, while "they are shipped" indicates a present or ongoing action. Choose the tense based on when the shipping occurred or occurs. For example, "they were shipped yesterday" vs "they are shipped every Tuesday".

What's the difference between "they were shipped" and "they have been shipped"?

"They were shipped" describes a completed action in the past, while "they have been shipped" implies a completed action with relevance to the present. For instance, "they were shipped last week" vs "they have been shipped, so they should arrive soon".