They were taken vs They are taken

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'They were taken' is used to describe a past action, while 'They are taken' is used to describe a current state or condition.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 1106 views

They were taken

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe a past action.

'They were taken' is used to indicate that something happened to 'them' in the past.

Examples:

They were taken to the hospital last night.
The documents were taken by mistake.

Show examples from the web [+]

They were taken by Gus Berger, some hack P.I.
They were taken from traffic cams near Ms. Reed's apartment.
They were taken to the hall of King Osric, the Usurper.
They were taken to internment camps near the German border, the biggest of which was Mariënbosch near Nijmegen.
They were taken 12 hours apart.
They were taken two days before she died.
They were taken at Maybrook Storage at 9:35 a.m.
They were taken by another campaign.
They were taken with something like this - an Octocopter.
They were taken by a private?
They were taken outside of Catoctin State Park. (light rattling)
They were taken in front of the weekly where James Hamilton was living two days before Olivia Hamilton's death.
They were taken to the island of Kwajelin, where we maintain a naval establishment, and there they've placed under continuous and competent medical supervision.
They were taken a couple weeks ago.
They were taken almost 8 years apart.
They were taken when she was baptized.
They were taken to the VA with concussions and shrapnel wounds.
They were taken about 90 minutes ago.
They were taken from the right kidney.
They were taken when we were split.

Alternatives:

they got taken
they had been taken
they were removed

They are taken

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe a current state or condition.

'They are taken' is used to indicate that 'they' are currently in a taken state or condition.

Examples:

They are taken care of by their grandparents.
The seats are taken, you'll have to sit elsewhere.

Show examples from the web [+]

For decisions of particular urgency, a declaration holding their definitive adoption may be drawn up in the course of the meeting in which they are taken.
If all of them can have instantaneous and simultaneous access to scans and images as they are taken, they will be able to deliver better healthcare faster.
NSAIDs (antiinflammatory drugs), if they are taken long-term and daily, like for arthritis
With Guillermo, I've learned to listen and to reflect on the decisions, even if they are taken with the soul.
They are taken, then released 48 hours later with massive internal degradation.
Many sites are offering excellent services to travellers and they are taken as reference points to select the most interesting offers.
For tablets that you need to take with food, it may be best if they are taken at a meal at a time when BYETTA is not being administered.
They are taken every quarter in every subject.
They are taken either orally, in pill form or intravenously injected with a syringe.
They are taken from unstable and were recompiled on woody.
They are taken into account from the date of closure of the accounts.
They are taken to the airport and the bus on request.
They are taken from the names of characters in the Toy Story movie.
They are taken orally, and when you supplement them with suitable workouts, these legal steroids really work.
They are taken to the crocodile farms for incubation, and field studies have evidenced that these collections do not adversely affect the natural populations.
They are taken by some more nymphs to a temple to be engaged.
They are taken hostage to sell the products destined for them, of course, but also to sell anything and everything.
They are taken up by boys in order to carry out the self-fulfilling prophecy of their gender concept, as different from their mothers.
They are taken part between the others, the first vice-minister Zhukov, the minister of the...
At least this is what the girls of «Mudzi Wa Moyo» do. They are taken care by the Sisters in such an organised way, so as to provide for all their needs.

Alternatives:

they have been taken
they are in possession
they are occupied

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