were killed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were killed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing events where individuals lost their lives, often in historical or news-related narratives. Example: "Many soldiers were killed during the battle, leading to significant losses for both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nine Afghans were killed.

Columbia University

Three officials were killed.

The New York Times

Several dozen were killed.

The Economist

Others were killed.

The Economist

The assailants were killed.

The New York Times

Dozens were killed.

Independent

Three were killed.

The New York Times

Civilians were killed".

The New York Times

Two protesters were killed.

The New York Times

They were killed regardless.

The New York Times

American citizens were killed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on tragic events, use "were killed" to convey factual information about loss of life in a clear and direct manner.

Common error

Ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what "were killed". Avoid vague statements that could lead to confusion about the subject of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were killed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being killed. As Ludwig AI shows, it is widely used in reporting events where lives have been lost.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were killed" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to report on deaths. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in news and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity. While other options exist such as "lost their lives", "met their deaths", or "were slain", "were killed" remains a direct and neutral way to convey this information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were fatalities

Highlights the fact that they died, often in an accident or disaster.

lost their lives

Focuses on the loss of life rather than the action of killing.

died as a result

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship leading to death.

met their deaths

A more formal way of saying died, emphasizing the encounter with death.

were the victims of

Focuses on the victims and the event that caused their death.

were slain

A more archaic or literary term for being killed.

perished

Implies a sudden or violent death.

succumbed to injuries

Indicates death resulted from injuries sustained.

were no more

A more euphemistic and gentle way to describe death.

ceased to exist

A philosophical way to express death, focusing on the end of existence.

FAQs

What does "were killed" mean?

The phrase "were killed" indicates that someone or something had their life ended by an external force or action. It's the past passive form of the verb "kill".

What are some alternatives to "were killed"?

You can use alternatives such as "lost their lives", "met their deaths", or "were slain" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was killed" instead of "were killed"?

No, "was killed" is used for a singular subject, while "were killed" is used for plural subjects. For example, "He was killed" versus "They were killed".

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

You can use it like this: "The soldiers "were killed" in battle", or "Many civilians "were killed" during the bombing".