there were really

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were really" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the existence or intensity of something in a statement, often to express surprise or disbelief. Example: "There were really a lot of people at the concert last night, much more than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were really two reasons.

The New York Times

There were really no qualified Republican women?

The New Yorker

"The zoos there were really bad.

The New York Times

"There were really horrible scenes," he said.

Independent

There were really two housing crashes.

The Washington Post

"But there were really too many advertisements.

The Guardian

"There were really nice videos and really nice memes.

Harvard University

So there were really two issues: legal and practical.

The New Yorker

"Because there were really no books on it".

The New York Times - Food

And there were really personal relationships and conversation.

Harvard Business Review

There were really no qualified Republican women?" Sure there were.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were really" to emphasize the quantity, quality, or surprising nature of something. For example, "There were really a lot of people at the event, far more than we expected."

Common error

Avoid using "there were really" excessively in formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language may be preferred. Consider using stronger verbs or more descriptive adjectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were really" functions as an existential clause used to emphasize the presence or extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It serves to highlight the reality or surprising nature of what existed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were really" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the existence or intensity of something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, highlighting its role in conveying surprise or unexpected realities. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in academic settings, albeit less frequently due to its informal tone. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "there truly were" or "there certainly were". The frequency and diverse applications underscore its relevance in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there truly were

Emphasizes the existence of something in a more formal or emphatic way.

there actually were

Highlights that something existed contrary to expectation or doubt.

there genuinely were

Stresses the authenticity or sincerity of the existence.

there in fact were

Introduces a statement as a confirmed or verifiable truth.

there certainly were

Indicates a high degree of certainty about the existence.

there definitely were

Similar to 'certainly' but with a slightly more informal tone.

there legitimately were

Indicates that something existed according to established rules or principles.

there veritably were

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to emphasize truth or reality.

there existed indeed

Inverts the sentence structure slightly to emphasize the existence.

it was indeed true that there were

Expresses the idea by rephrasing for a change in emphasis and structure.

FAQs

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

Use "there were really" to emphasize the existence or intensity of something. For example, "There were really many options available to us."

What phrases are similar to "there were really"?

Alternatives include "there truly were", "there actually were", or "there genuinely were", each carrying slightly different connotations.

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

Yes, the phrase "there were really" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to emphasize a statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

When should I avoid using "there were really" in my writing?

While grammatically sound, consider avoiding "there were really" in highly formal contexts. Options such as "there truly were" or "there certainly were" might be more appropriate.