there were those

USAGE SUMMARY

"there were those" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a group of people or things that are being referenced or talked about in a sentence. For example: There were those who doubted her abilities, but she proved them wrong. In this example, "there were those" is used to introduce a group of people who doubted the subject's abilities. Another example: Despite the stormy weather, there were those who still showed up for the outdoor concert. In this sentence, "there were those" is used to introduce a group of people who attended the outdoor concert despite the bad weather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"And of course there were those breasts".

The New York Times - Arts

But there were those mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

There were those freckles.

The New York Times

And there were those.

The New York Times

Then there were those who seemed ambivalent.

The New York Times

And then there were those volunteers.

The New York Times

And there were those nonwasteful toiletry dispensers.

The New York Times - Travel

Then there were those artichoke hearts.

The New York Times

There were those who were resolute.

The New York Times

And yet there were those 41 shots.

The New York Times

Then there were those missed tackles.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were those" to introduce a contrasting group or viewpoint after establishing a general context or situation. It's useful for creating nuance and complexity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "there were those" when a simpler phrasing like "some people" or "some individuals" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were those" functions as an existential quantifier, introducing a subset of individuals or entities within a larger group. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and serves to highlight a particular group or perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were those" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to introduce a specific group or viewpoint, often contrasting with a more general context. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral to slightly formal register. When writing, use it to add nuance and complexity, but avoid overuse in overly simplistic statements. While alternative phrasing exists, this expression maintains its own unique utility in written English, it can also be a great substitute to /s/some+people, so feel free to try it!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some people were

Focuses on a subset of individuals within a larger group.

a number of people were

Highlights the quantity of individuals.

some among them

Focuses on a subset within a defined group.

certain individuals existed

More formal, emphasizes the existence of specific people.

certain ones were

Highlights specific, unnamed individuals from a group.

some individuals were present

Highlights the presence of a certain number of people.

there existed individuals

A more elaborate structure that emphasizes the existence of individuals.

not everyone was

Expresses that the people are contrary to the main group.

not all of them

Indicates that not every member of a group shares a specific trait or action.

a segment of people

Focuses on the fractioning of a group.

FAQs

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

Use "there were those" to introduce a group of people or things that contrast with a previous statement or general situation. For example: "Most people enjoyed the movie, but "there were those" who found it boring".

What's an alternative to using "there were those"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "some people", "certain individuals", or "a number of people" as alternatives to ""there were those"".

Is it more formal to say "there were those" or "some people"?

"There were those" generally carries a slightly more formal tone compared to the more casual "some people". The choice depends on the overall style and intended audience of your writing.

When should I avoid using "there were those"?

Avoid using ""there were those"" in very simple or informal contexts where it might sound overly elaborate. Simpler alternatives are often more appropriate in such cases.