they were substantiated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were substantiated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to claims, arguments, or evidence that have been supported or validated. Example: "The allegations made against the company were serious, but they were substantiated by credible witnesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The public advocate's analysis tallies all reports of abuse or neglect, regardless of whether they were substantiated.

The New York Times

He said that in many cases the district did not appear to keep any central records of accusations of abuse, even if they were substantiated, as long as no formal charges were pressed.

The New York Times

In the present studies, clinical responses were based primarily upon ultrasound measurements, but they were substantiated by parallel calliper and mammographic measurements in all cases.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If they are substantiated they could, at the very least, signal grave breaches of international law and a humiliating betrayal of our international obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

If they are substantiated at a hearing, the buildings commissioner can impose fines of up to $25,000 for each violation by each man and revoke their licenses.

The New York Times

In a complaint that seeks to prevent the company from making any further medical claims unless they are substantiated by the Food and Drug Administration, the commission said the company ignored evidence that contradicted its claims that the juice could help prevent or treat heart disease, reduce the risk of prostate cancer and overcome erectile dysfunction.

The New York Times

Such theories, however, are merely a summary of practical experience and are only hypotheses (or assumptions) until they are substantiated by scientific experimentation.

Environmental Health Perspectives

This discrepancy can be explained by the different steps that CSA cases go through before they are substantiated, and thus counted in official-report inquiries.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

They hinted that these expectations were substantiated.

BMC Health Services Research

No allegations were substantiated.

The New York Times

Altogether, 31 percent of complaints were substantiated by independent reviewers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were substantiated", ensure that you clearly define what "they" refers to in the context. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "they were substantiated". In many cases, active voice (e.g., "evidence substantiated them") results in more direct and engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were substantiated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a set of claims, allegations, or findings has undergone scrutiny and has been verified or supported by evidence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were substantiated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction to indicate that certain claims or allegations have been validated by evidence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's essential to define clearly what "they" refers to, and avoid overuse of the passive voice for more direct communication. Alternative phrases like "they were proven" or "they were validated" can offer variety. Based on Ludwig's analysis, while the phrase is correct, writers should be mindful of clarity and conciseness in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were proven

Replaces 'substantiated' with 'proven', indicating confirmation of truth or validity.

they were validated

Substitutes 'substantiated' with 'validated', emphasizing the confirmation of accuracy or legitimacy.

they were verified

Uses 'verified' instead of 'substantiated', suggesting that the claims were checked and confirmed as true.

they were confirmed

Replaces 'substantiated' with 'confirmed', focusing on the establishment of certainty.

they were corroborated

Employs 'corroborated' instead of 'substantiated', highlighting the support by additional evidence.

they were authenticated

Uses 'authenticated' in place of 'substantiated', pointing to the establishment of genuineness.

they were justified

Substituting 'substantiated' with 'justified', shows how an action is defended or proven to be correct.

evidence supported them

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining the meaning by stating that "evidence" supported the claims.

proof was provided for them

Reformulates to focus on the provision of proof, altering the original structure.

the facts upheld them

Shifts focus to 'facts' upholding the claims, changing the sentence's construction.

FAQs

What does "they were substantiated" mean?

The phrase "they were substantiated" means that certain claims, allegations, or pieces of information have been supported with evidence and proven to be true or valid.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were proven", "they were validated", or "they were confirmed" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when writing about something being substantiated?

While "they were substantiated" is grammatically correct, using active voice (e.g., "the evidence substantiated them") can often make your writing clearer and more direct. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How to use "they were substantiated" in a sentence?

You can use "they were substantiated" in a sentence like this: "The allegations made against the company were serious, but "they were substantiated" by credible witnesses."