Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

were contacted through

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"were contacted through" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone was contacted using a particular method. For example: "The former employees of the company were contacted through email about the upcoming reunion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Breitbart published the names of employees who were contacted through Davenport's efforts.

Probst and Streeter, who were in Copenhagen, were contacted through their representatives, but did not return calls.

All were contacted through a national mitochondria research clinic.

Defensa Civil de Ecuador (Civil Defence) and municipal officials were contacted through IGEPN.

Potential participants were contacted through email and invited to partake in the study.

Educators were contacted through the Brazilian Computer Society SBCC) general list [54].

Upon receiving the consent form, the participants were contacted through telephone to organize a date and time for the interview.

Potential experts were contacted through personal messages and a posting in a forum on the Xing platform (www.xing.com).xing.com

All schools were contacted through local professional contacts that were trusted and respected by the school communities.

Prior to each Maker Faire, all Makers with information publicly available online were contacted through email and asked to complete a short online screening questionnaire.

Visually impaired learners, on the other hand, were contacted through the Blind Programmers list [55], which has individuals with visual impairment working in the computing field.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were contacted through", specify the medium or method of contact clearly. This adds clarity and context to your writing. For example, "Participants were contacted through email for the survey".

Common error

Avoid using "were contacted through" without specifying how the contact was made. Saying just "They were contacted through" leaves the reader wondering about the means of communication. Always specify the channel such as "email", "telephone", or "a mutual acquaintance".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were contacted through" functions as a passive construction indicating the means by which contact was established. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase connects the recipients of communication with the method or intermediary used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were contacted through" is a versatile phrase used to specify the means by which individuals or groups were reached. It's grammatically correct and commonly found in various types of writing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable. This phrase is particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts, where clarity and precision are essential. While the register is generally neutral to formal, the key is to clearly indicate the method of contact to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "were reached via" or "were notified by means of" to add variety to your writing. Remember to specify the medium used to contact someone, such as email, telephone, or personal networks. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "were contacted through" in your writing.

FAQs

How can I use "were contacted through" in a sentence?

The phrase "were contacted through" is used to indicate the method by which someone was reached. For instance, you might say "The candidates "were contacted through" LinkedIn" or "Customers "were contacted through" a survey email".

What are some alternatives to "were contacted through"?

Alternatives include "were reached via", "were notified by means of", or "were communicated with through". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how someone was contacted?

Using the passive voice ("were contacted through") emphasizes the recipients of the contact, while the active voice (e.g., "We contacted them through email") emphasizes the actor. The best choice depends on what you want to highlight in your writing.

What does it mean when someone says they "were contacted through" a third party?

It means that the initial contact was made via an intermediary, such as a friend, colleague, or organization. For example, "I "were contacted through" a mutual friend" implies the friend facilitated the initial introduction or communication.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: