They really are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They really are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the truth or reality of a statement about a subject or group of people. Example: "The results of the experiment were surprising; they really are more effective than we initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They really are spectacular.

The New York Times - Tech

They really are.

The New York Times

They really are separate companies.

The New York Times

"They really are valuable".

The New York Times

"They really are beautiful".

The New York Times

They really are friends".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They really are scared".

The Guardian

They really are impressed".

The New York Times - Books

They really are clueless.

The Guardian - Film

They really are tough".

The New York Times - Style

They really are everywhere.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using alternatives like "They truly are" or "They certainly are" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

While "They really are" is acceptable in many situations, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or informal. Replace it with more sophisticated language, such as "Indeed, they are" or rephrase to offer precise and descriptive language.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "They really are" is to serve as an emphatic affirmation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it reinforces a previous statement or observation about a subject, conveying strong agreement or confirmation. It is often used to emphasize a particular quality or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "They really are" functions as a versatile and emphatic affirmation. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While appropriate for most general communication, consider the context and audience when writing in a professional or academic setting. Be mindful of overusing it, and explore alternatives like "They truly are" or "They certainly are" to maintain reader engagement. The phrase's ability to convey conviction and agreement makes it a valuable tool in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They truly are

Replaces "really" with "truly" for a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the emphasis.

They certainly are

Substitutes "really" with "certainly" emphasizing the assuredness of the statement.

They definitely are

Replaces "really" with "definitely" conveying a strong sense of certainty.

They indeed are

Uses "indeed" instead of "really" for a more formal and somewhat emphatic affirmation.

They absolutely are

Emphasizes the statement with "absolutely", indicating complete agreement or affirmation.

They genuinely are

Replaces "really" with "genuinely", highlighting the sincerity of the statement.

They actually are

Uses "actually" instead of "really", often implying a contrast to a previous assumption.

They honestly are

Emphasizes sincerity by using "honestly", suggesting the speaker is being truthful.

That's precisely what they are

Expresses agreement with a prior statement using a more elaborate structure.

That's exactly what they are

States agreement with a prior statement using a similar structure, but replacing "precisely" with "exactly".

FAQs

What does "They really are" mean?

The phrase "They really are" is used to express strong agreement or affirmation about something previously mentioned or implied. It adds emphasis to the statement.

What can I say instead of "They really are"?

You can use alternatives like "They truly are", "They certainly are", or "They definitely are" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it okay to use "They really are" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "They really are" might sound too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "Indeed, they are" or rephrasing the sentence for a more sophisticated tone.

How can I emphasize a statement without using "They really are"?

You can emphasize a statement by using adverbs like "absolutely", "certainly", or "definitely". For example, instead of "They really are effective", you could say "They are absolutely effective".