changed their minds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "changed their minds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has altered their opinion or decision about something. Example: "After much discussion, they finally changed their minds about the proposed plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They've changed their minds.

The New York Times

changed their minds.

The New York Times - Sports

Have they changed their minds?

The New Yorker

What changed their minds?

The New York Times - Style

They changed their minds.

The New York Times

Many conservatives changed their minds too, however.

The New York Times - Health

"And they very much changed their minds".

The New Yorker

They've changed their minds now.

The Guardian - Sport

They had changed their minds.

The New York Times

Obviously, they changed their minds.

The New York Times

French officials changed their minds.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "changed their minds". Ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing.

Common error

While "changed their minds" is widely understood, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more nuanced alternatives like "reconsidered their position" or "revised their stance" for greater precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "changed their minds" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject (person or group) has altered their previous opinion, decision, or intention. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "changed their minds" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe a shift in someone's opinion or decision. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While suitable for general communication and news reporting, consider more formal alternatives like "reconsidered their position" in academic or professional settings. The phrase frequently appears in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

changed their judgments

Replaces "minds" with "judgments", emphasizing a shift in evaluation or assessment.

changed their ideas

Substitutes "minds" with "ideas", highlighting a change in thoughts or concepts.

changed their intentions

Replaces "minds" with "intentions", focusing on a shift in plans or goals.

changed their perspectives

Substitutes "minds" with "perspectives", emphasizing a shift in viewpoints or outlooks.

changed their decisions

Replaces "minds" with "decisions", focusing on a shift in choices or resolutions.

reformed their minds

Uses "reformed" to emphasize a more significant or positive change in thinking.

altered their minds

Uses "altered" which suggest a more gradual or subtle change in thinking.

changed their attitudes

Substitutes "minds" with "attitudes", highlighting a shift in feelings or dispositions.

changed their perceptions

Replaces "minds" with "perceptions", emphasizing a shift in how they understand or interpret something.

transformed their minds

Uses "transformed" to emphasize a profound or dramatic change in thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "changed their minds" in a sentence?

You can use "changed their minds" to indicate a shift in opinion or decision, as in, "After reviewing the data, they "changed their minds" about the project's viability".

What can I say instead of "changed their minds"?

Alternatives include "reconsidered their decision", "altered their opinion", or "revised their stance", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "change their mind" instead of "changed their minds"?

"Change their mind" is the infinitive form. The correct form depends on the tense and subject. For past tense, use "changed their minds". For present, you might say "they change their minds".

What's the difference between "changed their minds" and "had a change of heart"?

"Changed their minds" generally indicates a shift in opinion or decision based on new information or reasoning. "Had a change of heart" often implies a more emotional or compassionate shift in perspective.