they were used

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were used' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that has taken place in the past. For example, "The knives were used to cut up the vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were used to it.

The Guardian - Arts

They were used to that.

The New York Times

They were used near the start.

The New York Times - Sports

They were used to these interruptions.

The New York Times - Arts

"They were used to subsidies," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

They were used for massage, not masturbation.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were used to something else".

The New York Times - Sports

That's how they were used to behaving.

The Guardian

They were used to illegal parking.

The Guardian

In short they were used to garnish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Certainly they were used in hunting, but opinions vary as to exactly how they were used.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the active voice if it provides clarity or conciseness, especially when the actor is important to the context. For example, instead of "The tools were used by the workers", consider "The workers used the tools".

Common error

Avoid using "they were used" when the subject of "they" is ambiguous or unclear from the context. Always ensure that the pronoun "they" has a clear and unambiguous antecedent to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were used" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group of items or entities underwent an action performed by an unspecified or less important agent. It is used when the focus is on the object of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig AI confirms this construction is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were used" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to describe the past utilization of items or entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive construction is common across a range of contexts, from formal academic writing and news reports to more informal discussions. The phrase's neutral register allows for broad application, though careful attention should be paid to ensuring clear pronoun reference. When clarity is paramount, switching to the active voice can improve sentence structure and readability. The most authoritative sources using the expression are The New York Times, The Guardian and Nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had been utilized

Emphasizes a more formal tone and suggests a purposeful application.

they served as

Focuses on the function or purpose that something fulfilled.

they were employed for

Highlights the active use of something for a specific reason.

they were designed to

Implies a specific intention or purpose behind their creation or modification.

they functioned as

Focuses on the operational role or behavior of something.

they were implemented in

Suggests a systematic or planned use within a particular system or process.

they were handled by

Highlights the agency and specifies the subject that was doing the action.

they found application in

Emphasizes the discovery and subsequent use of something in a specific area.

they were taken advantage of

Focuses on the utilization of something, usually for an advantage or benefit.

they were adopted for

Suggests a deliberate choice to use something for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were used" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they had been utilized", or "they were employed for" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "they were used"?

While "they were used" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes provide more clarity. For instance, instead of "The ingredients were used by the chef", you could say "The chef used the ingredients".

What's the difference between "they were used to" and "they were used"?

"They were used" indicates that something was utilized in the past. "They were used to" indicates that someone was accustomed to something. For example, "They were used to transport goods" versus "They were used to waking up early".

In what contexts is "they were used" most appropriate?

"They were used" is appropriate in contexts where the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. It's commonly found in historical accounts, scientific reports, and procedural descriptions.