they were taken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were taken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was captured, seized, or removed from a place or situation. Example: "The documents were missing because they were taken during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were taken seriously.

The New York Times - Arts

They were taken in.

The Guardian - Business

They were taken out.

The Guardian

They were taken to Lutheran Medical Center.

The New York Times

They were taken to the hospital.

The New York Times

In May, they were taken to Mpigi.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were taken under fire," he said.

The New York Times

They were taken into custody.

The Guardian

And they were taken away.

The Guardian

They were taken in 2006.

The Guardian

They were taken on 6 August 2004.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were taken", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what 'they' refers to. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient information earlier in the sentence or paragraph.

Common error

Avoid using "they were taken" without a clear antecedent for "they". Readers should not have to guess who or what is being referred to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were taken" primarily functions as the passive voice construction of the verb 'take'. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts. This construction highlights the action performed upon the subject rather than the actor performing the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were taken" is a versatile phrase used to describe an action performed upon a group, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical structure is correct, and it appears frequently in news, scientific publications, and general contexts. The phrase is neutral to formal, and awareness of potential ambiguities when using "they" is important. Be clear about what or who "they" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they got captured

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct active voice construction.

they were apprehended

Implies being seized or arrested, often by law enforcement.

they were seized

Suggests a forceful taking of something or someone.

they were removed

Indicates a displacement or relocation from a particular place.

they experienced

Shifts the focus to the experience or effect on the subject.

they underwent

Implies a process or action that the subject was subjected to.

they became victims

Emphasizes the negative impact or harm experienced.

they were transported

Focuses on the act of being moved from one location to another.

they were deceived

Indicates being misled or tricked.

they fell for it

Suggests being tricked or manipulated into believing something.

FAQs

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

Use "they were taken" to indicate that a group of people or objects were moved, captured, or affected in some way. For example, "The hostages "they were taken" to an unknown location".

What are some alternatives to "they were taken"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "they were captured", "they were seized", or "they were removed" instead of "they were taken".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing what happened to a group of people?

Both active and passive voice have their place. Passive voice (e.g., "they were taken") emphasizes the action performed on the subject, while active voice (e.g., "someone took them") emphasizes the actor. Choose the voice that best suits your focus.

What does it mean when someone says "they were taken for a ride"?

The idiom "they were taken for a ride" means that someone was deceived or cheated. It's different from the literal meaning of "they were taken".