they abound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they abound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something exists in large quantities or is plentiful. Example: "In the summer, fresh fruits and vegetables abound at the local farmers' market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

They abound through our literary history, too.

The Guardian - Books

Honest journalists — and they abound in England, as elsewhere — should not fear those inquiries.

The New York Times

Virtually all of Ice-T's firsts are here, and they abound.

The New York Times - Books

They abound in universities and colleges, auction houses, museums and online.

The New York Times

Even a qualified native folklorist -- they abound on Southern campuses -- might have rated this project unpromising.

The New York Times - Books

Gould liked extremes and provocations, and they abound in this brisk reading.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Instead, they abounds with all manner of ambient noise, from natural water movements to maritime traffic.

The Economist

The superwealthy, a New York Times editorial declared in 1879, were "very cheap here," meaning that they abounded in the metropolis, though the Times would also accept the second meaning.

The New York Times

Pictures of people and animals in religious contexts run afoul of iconoclastic Muslim doctrine, of course, but outside these arenas they abounded, especially in Iran and at Mughal courts.

The New Yorker

Loss undergirds Koënings's stories, yet they also abound in joy.

The New York Times - Books

Big brothers and sisters abound – they are us.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they abound" to emphasize the plentiful presence of something, particularly in descriptive or literary contexts. For example: "Opportunities for growth abound in this field."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "they abound" can sound slightly literary or old-fashioned. In very formal or technical writing, consider more direct alternatives like "they are plentiful" or "they are numerous".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they abound" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating that something exists in great quantity or is readily available. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts, supporting its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they abound" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that something exists in large quantities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, this phrase adds emphasis when describing the plentiful nature of something. While it can lean towards a slightly formal tone, it remains generally neutral and widely accepted. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "they are plentiful" or "they are numerous" for more directness. Remember that the subject must be plural to correctly use "they abound".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are plentiful

This alternative uses a more direct and common adjective, 'plentiful', instead of the verb 'abound'.

they are numerous

Replaces "abound" with "numerous", focusing on the quantity of items.

they exist in abundance

This phrase uses a noun form, 'abundance', to express the plentiful nature.

they are in ample supply

Implies that there's more than enough of something, focusing on availability.

they are rife

Suggests that something is not only plentiful but also possibly undesirable or pervasive.

they teem

Implies a great number of things are crowded together.

they are swarming

Conveys a sense of something being overwhelmingly numerous, often in a moving mass.

they flourish

Implies that something is growing or developing in a healthy, plentiful way.

they proliferate

Suggests a rapid increase or spread of something.

they burgeon

Implies a rapid growth or expansion.

FAQs

How do I use "they abound" in a sentence?

Use "they abound" to indicate that something is present in large quantities or is readily available. For instance, "Opportunities for skilled workers "abound" in the tech industry."

What can I say instead of "they abound"?

You can use alternatives like "they are plentiful", "they are numerous", or "they exist in abundance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it abounds" instead of "they abound"?

No, "it abounds" is grammatically incorrect. "Abound" is typically used with plural subjects because it implies a large quantity or numerous instances. Use "it is abundant" instead.

What is the difference between "they abound" and "they are common"?

"They abound" emphasizes the plentiful nature or large quantity of something, while "they are common" simply indicates that something is frequently encountered or not rare. "They abound" has a slightly more emphatic and descriptive tone.