they were updated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were updated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been changed or modified, typically in the context of information, software, or data. Example: "The software was running slow, but after they were updated, it performed much better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They kept bringing me new pages as they were updated".

The New York Times

At first, I was transfixed by the numbers as they were updated every five minutes.

The New York Times - Health

As owners left that meeting, they said they were updated on negotiations.

The New York Times - Sports

· To check prices before going, check www.calais-bargains.com, www.day-tripper.net and www.eurotunnel.com, but make sure they were updated recently.

The Guardian - Travel

The Queen joined the cabinet while they were updated on a range of forthcoming parliamentary business.

BBC

In the DE-ELM hybrid training algorithm the initial selection of the weights and biases was done using the differential evolution algorithm which is a global search algorithm, and thereafter they were updated analytically using the ELM algorithm.

Fashion and Textiles

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Most of its contemporaries were busy trying to understand the music they were updating as art, as text, as history.

The New York Times - Arts

Before she had taken off her coat, they were updating her about a junior who had come in the previous week after cutting herself and expressing suicidal thoughts.

The New York Times - Health

Junior officials appeared nervous when they were updating me on the situation," he wrote in reply to questions from users.

BBC

They are updated every January.

The Guardian

They are updated constantly to ensure relevance.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were updated", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to and what specific changes were made to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were updated" without clearly establishing what "they" refers to earlier in the text. A vague pronoun reference can confuse readers and weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were updated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of items or pieces of information underwent a process of being brought up to date. It emphasizes the objects or information that received the update rather than the agent performing the update, which is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were updated" is a commonly used passive construction indicating that a group of items or information has been brought up to date. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that it is frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources, indicating its suitability for conveying factual information in a neutral and professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the referent of "they" is clear and the specific changes made are evident to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were brought up to date

Directly conveys the idea of modernizing or making current.

they have been revised

Focuses on the act of revision, implying a more thorough change.

they were revised

Emphasizes a specific past revision event.

they were amended

Highlights specific additions or alterations to the original content.

they were modified

Indicates that changes have been made, but not necessarily significant ones.

they were refreshed

Suggests a renewal or revitalization, often implying a return to an original state.

they were upgraded

Implies improvement and enhancement of the prior state.

they were corrected

Emphasizes the removal of errors or inaccuracies.

they were adjusted

Highlights subtle changes or fine-tuning.

they were reformed

Indicates a fundamental change in structure or organization.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were updated" to indicate that something has been changed or modified. For example, "The documents were outdated, so "they were updated" with the latest information."

What's a good alternative to "they were updated"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "they were revised", "they were amended", or "they were modified".

Is it correct to say "they was updated"?

No, "they was updated" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were updated", as "they" is plural and requires the plural form of the verb "to be".

What is the difference between "they were updated" and "they are updated"?

"They were updated" indicates a past action, meaning the update happened at some point in the past. "They are updated" indicates a present or ongoing action, meaning the updates happen regularly or are currently in progress.