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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
were contacted through
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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.
News & Media
Probst and Streeter, who were in Copenhagen, were contacted through their representatives, but did not return calls.
News & Media
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.
Science
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
Science
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.
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".
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
were reached via
This alternative emphasizes the act of reaching someone using a specific method.
were notified by means of
This phrase highlights the notification aspect, specifying the method used.
were communicated with through
This alternative emphasizes the communication aspect, using a slightly more formal tone.
received contact via
This emphasizes the reception of contact through a particular channel.
were connected to through
This focuses on establishing a connection using a medium or intermediary.
were accessed via
This suggests that someone was able to gain access for communication.
were gotten in touch with through
This is a more informal way of saying someone was contacted.
had contact established by
This alternative emphasizes the establishment of contact by a third party or method.
were liaised with through
This suggests a formal or professional connection made through a specific channel.
were patched through
This alternative implies a more indirect connection, often involving a switchboard or intermediary.
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.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested