are blue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are blue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the color of an object or subject in a sentence. Example: "The skies are blue today, making it a perfect day for a picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

(Mine are blue).

The New York Times

Those eyes are blue.

The New York Times

They are blue.

Independent

Nos are blue.

The Guardian

"Your lips are blue.

The New Yorker

"These walls are blue.

The New Yorker

Italics are blue as well".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Wall Street people are blue-map Americans.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, both bands are blue-shifted.

Nanoscale Research Letters

His roots are blue-collar.

Los Angeles Times

Leaves are blue-green or dark green.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing colors, ensure that the context is clear. For example, specify whether you're referring to an object's inherent color or its appearance under certain lighting conditions. "The walls are blue" is a straightforward statement, but you might add "The walls are blue in the evening light" for more context.

Common error

Be cautious of using the phrase "are blue" when intending a figurative meaning like sadness. Although "blue" can represent sadness, directly stating "they are blue" might not convey the intended emotion clearly. Instead, use phrases like "they feel blue" or "they are feeling blue" to explicitly express sadness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are blue" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the color of a subject. It's a simple way to attribute the color blue to something, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples like "The skies are blue today". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are blue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used descriptive phrase, used to indicate that a subject possesses the color blue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and general contexts, its formality is neutral and primarily serves an informative purpose. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretations, particularly with figurative meanings. For alternatives, consider phrases like "appear blue" or "have a blue hue" depending on the specific nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are red

Changes the adjective to describe a different color.

are green

Changes the adjective to describe a different color.

are yellow

Changes the adjective to describe a different color.

are white

Changes the adjective to describe a different color.

are black

Changes the adjective to describe a different color.

appear blue

Replaces "are" with "appear", focusing on visual perception.

look blue

Replaces "are" with "look", emphasizing visual appearance.

have a blue hue

Uses a noun phrase to describe the blue color.

exhibit a blue color

Formal alternative that describes the color more scientifically.

present as blue

A more formal way of saying something shows the color blue.

FAQs

How can I use "are blue" in a sentence?

You can use "are blue" to describe the color of something, such as "The skies "are blue" today" or "His eyes "are blue"".

What are some alternatives to saying something "is blue"?

Instead of saying something "is blue", you could say it "appears blue", "looks blue", or "has a blue hue", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "are blue"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "are blue" consists of the verb "are" and the adjective "blue", forming a simple statement about the color of something.

When should I use "are blue" versus "is blue"?

"Are blue" is used when referring to multiple subjects, for example "The flowers "are blue"". "Is blue" is used for singular subjects, like "The sky "is blue"".