they are permanent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are permanent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is intended to last indefinitely or is unchangeable. Example: "The changes made to the policy are significant, and they are permanent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

This study implies that dogs, but not jackals, are reservoirs because they are permanent hosts, yet many dog populations, as with many jackal populations, do not permanently support rabies cycles.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"They are permanent scars," he added.

The New York Times

"They are permanent fund-raisers," Mr. Strickler said.

The New York Times

But there is no telling if they are permanent.

The New York Times

What we don't know is if they are permanent changes or tactical changes".

The New York Times

In many lower invertebrates, gonads are temporary organs; in higher forms, however, they are permanent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

They're pretty faint, but they're permanent.

The Guardian - Music

Almost all of them were white, and most acted, both on screen and off, as if they were permanent fixtures of the upper class.

The New York Times

We studied world climates as though they were permanent fixtures, the Sahara an aberrant stretch of sand, the Amazon forest an eternal and inviolable spread of forest.

The Guardian

"I've got my lists of players, whether they be permanent targets or loans for various positions.

BBC

It doesn't tell you whether they're permanent residents or not permanent residents," he said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are permanent", ensure the context clearly establishes what "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they are permanent" when describing situations or conditions that are likely to change or evolve over time. Ensure the characteristic you describe really has limited chance of varying. For example, is better to avoid saying "they are permanent" in relation to a political trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are permanent" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a quality or state of being for a plural subject. As Ludwig AI shows, this describes the characteristics of things in news, science and everyday discussions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they are permanent" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is intended to last or is unchangeable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific publications, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what "they" refers to and that the situation is, indeed, likely to endure. Alternatives like "they are lasting" or "they are immutable" can offer subtle variations in meaning, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are lasting

Focuses on the duration or continuation of something.

they are enduring

Emphasizes the ability to withstand or remain strong over time.

they are immutable

Highlights the unchangeable nature of something.

they are irreversible

Stresses the inability to revert to a previous state.

they are fixed

Indicates that something is firmly established and not subject to change.

they are unalterable

Similar to immutable, but perhaps with a slightly broader connotation.

they are set in stone

Idiomatic expression indicating a firm and unchangeable decision or arrangement.

they are indelible

Focuses on the impossibility of removing or erasing something.

they are perpetual

Implies an unending or continuous duration.

they are unchangeable

Highlights the characteristic of something that cannot be modified.

FAQs

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

Use "they are permanent" to describe features, conditions, or changes that are intended to last indefinitely or are unchangeable. For example, "The policy changes are significant, and "they are permanent"."

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

You can use alternatives like "they are lasting", "they are enduring", or "they are immutable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they are permanent" or "it is permanent"?

The correct choice depends on the subject. Use "they are permanent" when referring to multiple items or a plural subject. Use "it is permanent" when referring to a singular subject.

What's the difference between "they are permanent" and "they will be permanent"?

"They are permanent" describes a current state of permanence. "They will be permanent" indicates a future expectation or intention of permanence.