there were dunks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were dunks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing basketball or any situation where "dunks" refers to a type of scoring or action, typically in sports. Example: "During the game, there were dunks that left the crowd in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There were dunks.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There were four dunks, 27 points and just someone so big, skilled and talented that it's pretty understandable why everyone is excited about his future.

Los Angeles Times

There were a few dunks here and there, but when Griffin was surrounded in the fourth quarter, it opened space for the mostly anonymous Randy Foye to decide the outcome.

The New York Times - Sports

There are slam dunks.

Huffington Post

And though neither made the field this year, both teams are fixated on Florida Gulf Coast, the newest member of the 15 fraternity, which has surged all the way to the Round of 16. "I know in our game against Duke there were quite a few dunks, but the dunks that they're putting out there are pretty spectacular," Lehigh Coach Brett Reed said.

The New York Times - Sports

At 43C the temperature is perfect for cold days, and the pools collect water at different temperatures – there is the river alongside to dunk into for a blast of cold water.

The Guardian - Travel

Its polemic is slam-dunk simple: let there be aerotropoli, because without them life will become unsurvivably chaotic.

Independent

There was a dunk off a missed shot by Gary Payton, a drop-step, lean-in bank shot over Marcus Camby.

The New York Times - Sports

You could ask around the town, and if there was a dunk contest and you heard the likes of Demetrius Hook Mitchell, he would draw a crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Willoughby says things might have been different had he come out of high school today into the N.B.A. "Back then, there was little dunking, no 3-point shot, no 6-foot-8 point guards, which is where I should have played instead of forward and center," he said.

The New York Times

There was Blake Griffin dunking and Chris Paul darting and Matt Barnes grappling and Jamal Crawford shooting the Spurs into submission, just like the Clippers scripted it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific basketball game or event, use "there were dunks" to simply and directly state the presence of dunks. It's clear and concise.

Common error

Avoid using "there were dunks" in contexts where the subject is unclear or too broad. Be specific about the event or game you are describing for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were dunks" functions as an existential clause, asserting the presence or occurrence of dunks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly used to describe events, especially in sports reporting.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were dunks" is a grammatically sound and direct phrase used to indicate the occurrence of multiple dunks, typically within the context of sports reporting or casual conversation. According to Ludwig AI, its use is accurate and straightforward. While the phrase itself is simple, it's important to consider the context and specificity of the subject being described. Alternatives like "dunks were present" or "the game featured dunks" may provide a more nuanced expression, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were impressive dunks

Adds an adjective to emphasize the quality of the dunks.

dunks were present

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the dunks themselves.

dunks occurred

Uses a more formal verb to describe the action of dunking.

dunks happened

Replaces "were" with "happened", a more casual phrasing.

dunks were performed

Emphasizes the execution of the dunks.

the game featured dunks

Shifts the focus to the game and its characteristics.

the match included dunks

Uses "included" to indicate the presence of dunks.

dunks were a feature

Highlights dunks as a noteworthy element.

the highlight reel included dunks

Shifts the focus to a highlight reel as the location of the dunks.

we saw dunks

Changes to a first-person perspective, emphasizing observation.

FAQs

How can I use "there were dunks" in a sentence?

Use "there were dunks" to indicate that dunks occurred during an event. For example, "During the game, there were dunks that thrilled the audience."

What phrases are similar to "there were dunks"?

Alternatives include "dunks were present", "the game featured dunks", or "dunks occurred depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there were dunks"?

Yes, "there were dunks" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard "there were + plural noun" construction to indicate existence or occurrence.

What is the difference between "there were dunks" and "there was a dunk"?

"There were dunks" indicates that multiple dunks happened, while "there was a dunk" indicates only one dunk occurred. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the number of dunks.