they are gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are gone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something is no longer present or has left a location. Example: "After the party ended, I looked around the room and realized they are gone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are gone forever".

The New York Times

Then they are gone.

The New York Times

But they are gone.

The New York Times

"When they are gone, they are gone".

The Guardian

But then they are gone.

The New York Times

They are gone now.

The Guardian

(Alas, they are gone).

The New York Times

Sadly they are gone".

The New York Times

"They are gone, they are gone," one relative cried.

The New York Times

Until they are gone, nor will Myanmar.

The Economist

It is a pity they are gone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are gone" when you want to express a sense of finality or irretrievability. For example, "Once trust is broken, sometimes they are gone forever."

Common error

Avoid using "they are gone" when referring to a temporary absence. Instead, use phrases like "they are away" or "they will return soon" to indicate a temporary situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are gone" functions primarily as a statement of fact, indicating the absence or non-existence of a previously present subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and presence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are gone" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to indicate the absence or loss of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to convey different nuances of loss, disappearance, or termination. Understanding the appropriate context for its use, while considering alternatives such as "they have disappeared" or "they are no longer here", can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have disappeared

Emphasizes the act of vanishing or becoming unseen.

they are no longer here

States the absence of someone or something from a specific location.

they have vanished

Implies a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

they are deceased

Specifically indicates that someone has died.

they are extinct

Indicates the complete disappearance of a species or group.

they are a thing of the past

Suggests that something is outdated or no longer relevant.

they are lost

Implies that something is missing or cannot be found.

they are finished

Indicates that something is completed or terminated.

they are out of sight

States that someone or something can no longer be seen.

they are retired

Indicates that someone has stopped working.

FAQs

What does "they are gone" mean?

The phrase "they are gone" means that a group of people or things is no longer present, either because they have left, disappeared, or ceased to exist.

How to use "they are gone" in a sentence?

You can use "they are gone" to indicate absence or loss, such as, "After the storm, many trees were uprooted; "they are gone" now."

What can I say instead of "they are gone"?

You can use alternatives like "they have disappeared", "they are no longer here", or "they have vanished" depending on the context.

Is "they are gone" formal or informal?

"They are gone" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in some situations.