these guys

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these guys" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to refer to a group of people, often in a casual or familiar manner. Example: "I really enjoyed hanging out with these guys at the party last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ok, these guys win.

Stanford University

So these guys.

Yale University

"I know these guys.

The New York Times

These guys were huge.

The New York Times

"These guys were selfish.

The New York Times - Sports

These guys lack neither".

The New Yorker

"These guys are crazy".

The New York Times

These guys were reasonable.

The New Yorker

"These guys don't".

The New York Times

These guys can block.

The New York Times - Sports

These guys are superstars.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "these guys" can make conversations sound more natural and realistic. Consider the speaker and context to ensure it fits the character's voice.

Common error

Avoid using "these guys" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more formal alternatives like "these individuals" or "this group" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these guys" functions as a demonstrative pronoun phrase, identifying a specific group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally considered correct and usable. It typically introduces or refers to a group already understood or present in the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

28%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "these guys" is a demonstrative pronoun phrase used to refer to a specific group of people. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used, although more suited to informal contexts. While very common in news and media, it may not be appropriate for formal academic or professional writing. Consider more formal alternatives such as "these individuals" or "this group" in those settings. Using "these guys" appropriately can make your writing sound more natural and engaging, but being mindful of your audience and context is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

these people

A neutral and widely applicable alternative.

this group

More formal and less colloquial.

these men

More specific in terms of gender and age.

these individuals

More formal and impersonal.

this team

Specifically refers to a group working together.

these lads

British English alternative, more informal.

these fellows

A slightly old-fashioned and polite term.

these characters

Suggests a group of eccentric or notable people.

these chaps

Informal, British English alternative.

the aforementioned

Formal, refers to people previously mentioned.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "these guys"?

For formal contexts, consider using "these individuals", "these people", or "this group" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "these guys" appropriate for academic writing?

Generally, no. In academic writing, it's best to use more formal language. Alternatives like "the researchers" (if referring to researchers) or "the participants" (if referring to study participants) are more suitable.

When is it okay to use "these guys" in writing?

"These guys" is acceptable in informal writing, casual conversations, and when you want to create a friendly or approachable tone. It's common in blogs, personal emails, and fiction, where a character might use this phrase.

How can I use "these guys" in a sentence?

You can use "these guys" to refer to a group of people you're talking about. For example, "These guys are working on the project", or "I went to the movies with "these guys" last night".