they were surveyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "They were surveyed" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The students were surveyed to get feedback on the quality of the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They were surveyed during autumn and spring for 2 years.

Forest Ecology and Management

After they made their purchase, they were surveyed to determine their attitude toward the lemonade.

Stanford University

They were surveyed using the questionnaires method in 2012 and 2013.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Afterwards, they were surveyed on the Balfour declaration and if the British should have signed it.

The Guardian

They were surveyed every year from 1979 to 1994 and then every second year.

The Economist

Between 61% and 71% had a job at the time they were surveyed.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They were surveying the stars in the Milky Way.

The Economist

By late morning, they were surveying jewelry at Tiffany.

The New York Times

He asks if they were surveying for the quemadero and Aaron admits this.

The New Yorker

Now they were surveying £100,000 of damage to stock and an enforced shutdown at the busiest time of the year.

Independent

He and four other people died when their light plane crashed Wednesday as they were surveying the flood zone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were surveyed", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to. Providing specific details about the group being surveyed improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were surveyed" without specifying the population or group being referenced. For example, instead of writing "They were surveyed, and the results were surprising", specify "The students were surveyed, and the results indicated a need for more support."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were surveyed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group received a survey. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure, with numerous examples demonstrating its use in academic, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were surveyed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction indicating that a group of individuals participated in a survey. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and widespread application across various domains. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, the phrase serves to report data collection processes and provide background information. While generally neutral in register, it is suitable for professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the population being referenced. Alternatives such as "they were interviewed" or "data was collected from them" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they underwent a study

Focuses on the process of being examined in a research context.

they participated in a poll

Specifically highlights engagement in an opinion-gathering process.

data was collected from them

Emphasizes the act of gathering information, less focused on the individuals themselves.

they were interviewed

Focuses on a direct questioning method of data collection.

they answered questionnaires

Highlights the specific method of using questionnaires for data collection.

they were examined

Highlights a thorough inspection or analysis.

they were assessed

Focuses on evaluating their characteristics or performance.

their opinions were gathered

Focuses specifically on collecting opinions rather than other data.

they were canvassed

Implies a broad and often political survey of opinions.

they were the subject of an investigation

Shifts the focus to a more formal or critical inquiry.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were surveyed" to indicate that a group of individuals participated in a survey. For example, "The residents of the town "they were surveyed" about their satisfaction with local services."

What are some alternatives to "they were surveyed"?

Alternatives to "they were surveyed" include "they were interviewed", "they participated in a poll", or "data was collected from them" depending on the specific method used to gather information.

Is "they were surveyed" formal or informal?

"They were surveyed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in reports, articles, and academic papers.

What's the difference between "they were surveyed" and "they were interviewed"?

"They were surveyed" implies a broader method of data collection, often using questionnaires, while "they were interviewed" suggests a direct, one-on-one questioning approach.