were employed in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were employed in" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or a group of people who are currently employed in a certain job, industry, or occupation. For example: "Many workers were employed in the mining industry in the 19th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

96% of female graduates were employed in 2005.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Large numbers of slaves were employed in agriculture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By 1910 one-tenth of workers were employed in industry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The victims came from nearly 80 countries, and most were employed in global trade and finance.

The New York Times

This was the first time US troops were employed in an offensive role".

The Guardian

It showed that fewer Americans over all were employed in October.

The New York Times

Far more of the men were employed in proof-reading, producing and distributing the newspaper.

The Guardian

The inmates of Greenwich Village were employed in sewer and road-construction work.

The New Yorker

One in five people in the town were employed in manufacturing – today it's one in 10.

The Guardian

During World War Two, chemical means were employed in Hitler's mass exterminations.

The Guardian

He also declared that too many prelates were employed in the Curial offices.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were employed in", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what was being used. For example, instead of saying "Techniques were employed", specify "Specific statistical techniques were employed".

Common error

A common mistake is to use "were employed in" with an ambiguous subject. Avoid sentences like "Methods were employed", which lacks clarity. Instead, specify what or who was employing the methods; for example, "Researchers were employed in developing new methods".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were employed in" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being hired or used in a particular capacity. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were employed in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that serves to describe the roles or utilization of individuals or resources in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. It is predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts but maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what was being utilized and avoid vague subjects. Alternatives such as "were utilized within" or "were engaged in" can be used to add variety, yet the key is maintaining specificity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were utilized within

Replaces 'employed' with 'utilized', focusing on the use of something rather than people.

were engaged in

Uses 'engaged' instead of 'employed', suggesting active participation or involvement.

were used for

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the purpose for which something was used.

were involved in

Indicates participation or connection to a particular activity or role.

were active in

Emphasizes the active role within a specific domain or industry.

were tasked with

Highlights the assignment of responsibilities or duties.

were instrumental in

Indicates a significant contribution or importance in achieving a specific outcome.

were occupied in

Focuses on the state of being busy or engaged in a specific activity.

were dedicated to

Implies commitment and focus towards a specific goal or area of work.

were assigned to

Highlights the act of being allocated to a particular task or role.

FAQs

How can I use "were employed in" in a sentence?

Use "were employed in" to indicate that someone or something was used in a particular role or activity. For example, "Many workers "were employed in" the construction of the bridge".

What are some alternatives to saying "were employed in"?

You can use alternatives such as "were utilized within", "were engaged in", or "were used for" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were employed in"?

While "were employed in" is in the passive voice, its appropriateness depends on the context. If the focus is on the object or recipient of the action, passive voice is suitable. If the focus is on the actor, use active voice. For example, instead of "New methods "were employed in" this study", consider "Researchers employed new methods in this study" if the researchers are the focal point.

What's the difference between "were employed in" and "were working in"?

"Were employed in" refers specifically to being hired or used for a task, while "were working in" indicates general work activity. For instance, "Many people "were employed in" the factory" suggests a formal employment relationship, while "Many people "were working in" the factory" simply indicates their presence and activity there.