they are over

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are over" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a particular event or action has ended or concluded. For example: "We finished the meeting and now they are over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

("Things change before they are over," Legrand sings).

The New Yorker

When they are over, and only when they are over, the commissioner can declare the era over.

The New York Times - Sports

Gray is quite certain, on the contrary, that they are over, in their present form.

Independent

But when they are over, he's quietly tossed some pretty extreme ideas overboard".

The New York Times

Author Allen believes that people experience stress when they are over committed.

Duke University

"The fights happen and they are over quickly," Barnett says.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

They are over-emotional.

The Guardian - Opinion

Typically they are over-age and undercredited.

The New York Times

Now it is thought they are over-cautious.

The Guardian

"When plays by women don't work, they are over-condemned.

The Guardian

But not all small businesses believe they are over-regulated and over-taxed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are over" to clearly indicate the conclusion of an event, task, or period. This phrase is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, ensuring your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "they are over" when referring to a singular subject. Ensure the pronoun "they" accurately represents a plural noun to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are over" primarily functions as a statement indicating that a particular event, activity, or period has ended. It serves to communicate completion or termination. Ludwig examples confirm its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are over" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that something has ended. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from authoritative sources. Its versatility allows for use in both formal and informal contexts, primarily appearing in news, media, and academic writing. While alternatives like "they are finished" or "they have concluded" exist, "they are over" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to communicate completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are done

Informal and direct, conveying a sense of completion or disinterest.

they have ended

Neutral and straightforward, simply stating that something has ceased.

it is finished

Emphasizes the completed state of something, often with a sense of finality or accomplishment.

they have concluded

Formal and precise, indicating a deliberate ending or resolution.

they are past

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating something belongs to the past.

they are complete

Highlights the finished or whole state of something.

they are in the past

Similar to "they are past", emphasizing the temporal distance from the present.

they are resolved

Implies a solution or settlement has been reached, bringing something to a close.

they are terminated

Formal and abrupt, suggesting a decisive end, often in a professional or official context.

they are no more

Poetic and emphatic, conveying a sense of loss or disappearance.

FAQs

How can I use "they are over" in a sentence?

You can use "they are over" to indicate that a particular event or activity has finished. For example, "The exams were tough, but now "they are over"." or "The holidays were fun but "they are over" now."

What's the difference between "they are over" and "they are finished"?

While both phrases indicate completion, "they are finished" can sometimes imply a stronger sense of finality or exhaustion. "They are over" is generally more neutral and widely applicable.

What can I say instead of "they are over" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they have concluded" or "they have ended". These alternatives provide a more professional and refined way to express completion.

Is it correct to say "it is over" instead of "they are over"?

Yes, but the choice depends on the subject. Use "it is over" when referring to a singular event or situation. Use ""they are over"" when referring to multiple events or a plural subject.