they were terminated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were terminated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has been dismissed from a job or position, often in a formal or professional setting. Example: "Due to budget cuts, they were terminated from their positions at the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

And if they didn't do so, they were terminated".

The New York Times

On Friday they were terminated for violating YouTube's community guidelines.

The Guardian

"Those who could not be confirmed as legal, they were terminated," Mr. Johnson said.

The New York Times

"They were terminated because they couldn't carry out their contracts," Donnelly told News Corp Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

"In some cases, people are just upset that they were terminated, and they happen to be in a protected category.

The New York Times

Even if that has nothing to do with why they were terminated, they still file a charge".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

NSI, exercising a change in control termination clause, notified Snapnames/Oversee today that they were terminating their agreement and simultaneously launched Namejet with a rival registrar eNom (eNom is owned by Demand Media).

TechCrunch

Then we heard they were terminating the contract and our worst fears came true.

The Guardian

By the early afternoon, the Ravens tweeted that they were terminating Rice's contract.

The New Yorker

Volcansek said in an interview that agency officials would not tell him why they were terminating him.

The Washington Post

As such, they were terminating my account.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when choosing this phrase; in some contexts, gentler alternatives like "they were let go" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "they were terminated" without a clear subject. Ambiguous phrasing can create confusion about who was terminated and why. Always provide context to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were terminated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of people experienced the action of being terminated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. The examples show it used in various contexts, from job dismissals to contract cancellations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were terminated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to report the ending of an employment or agreement in a relatively formal and neutral tone. Common contexts include news reporting, scientific publications, and general informational writing. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying who "they" refers to and to consider softer alternatives like "they were let go" in less formal settings. When choosing between active and passive voice, the passive voice emphasizes the recipients of the action, while the active emphasizes the actor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were dismissed

A formal synonym for being fired, emphasizing the official nature of the termination.

they lost their jobs

A simple and direct way of stating they no longer have their jobs.

they were let go

A more informal and softer way of saying they were fired, often used in layoffs.

their employment was ended

Focuses on the act of ending their employment, a more general way of saying they were fired.

their services were discontinued

Emphasizes the ending of their services, often used for contractors or consultants.

their contract was not renewed

Specifically refers to the non-renewal of a contract, implying a planned end rather than a firing.

they faced redundancy

Indicates that their position was no longer needed, often due to restructuring.

they were discharged

A formal term, often used in military or legal contexts.

they were ousted

Suggests a forced removal, often implying conflict or disagreement.

their agreement was cancelled

Focuses on the cancellation of an agreement, rather than employment.

FAQs

What does "they were terminated" mean?

The phrase "they were terminated" means that a group of people had their employment or agreement ended, typically by an employer or organization. It's a formal way of saying they were fired or let go.

What are some less direct ways to say "they were terminated"?

Alternatives include "they were let go", "their employment was ended", or "they were dismissed", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a termination?

The choice depends on the focus. Active voice (e.g., "The company terminated them") emphasizes the actor, while passive voice ("They were terminated") emphasizes the recipients of the action. Passive voice can be used to soften the impact or avoid assigning direct blame.

Which is more formal, "they were terminated" or "they were fired"?

"They were terminated" is generally more formal than "they were fired". "Terminated" is often used in official or professional communication, while "fired" is more informal and direct.