they are students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are students" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group of individuals who are currently enrolled in an educational institution. Example: "In our discussion about the new curriculum, it's important to remember that they are students who may need additional support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Follow OscAreon theyter.

Vice

They are students.

The New York Times

They are students who play athletics.

The New York Times - Sports

Needless to say, they are students.

The New Yorker

We don't even know if they are students".

Independent

They are students celebrating Suharto's resignation in 1998.

The New York Times - Arts

Japanese Ivy fans wear Ivy suits while they are students, like they are adults".

The New Yorker

They are students of the game and, in many cases, students of the industry.

The New York Times

They are students and they're athletes and they're representing the university.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are the biggest families in Europe, whether they are students, widowed, divorced".

The Guardian - Arts

More specifically, they are students and aspiring performers recruited in what one imagines was a series of excessively upbeat auditions.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they are students", ensure the context clearly defines the group of people being referred to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying their institution or field of study if necessary.

Common error

Don't use "they are students" when the context already makes it clear that the subjects are students. Redundancy can weaken your writing. For example, avoid saying "As students, they are students who..." and just use "As students, they..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are students" functions as a descriptive statement, identifying a group of individuals by their role as learners in an educational setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are students" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to identify a group enrolled in education. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's appropriate for various contexts, spanning from formal academic papers to news reports. The phrase’s purpose is primarily descriptive, offering information about the identity or role of the individuals in question. While generally neutral in tone, context matters: specificity (e.g., institution, degree) enhances clarity, and avoiding redundancy ensures impactful writing. Remember to use the plural form "students" with the pronoun "they".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they're pupils

Contraction used, more informal. "Pupils" is a direct synonym for students.

they're learners

Replaces "students" with "learners", focusing on the act of learning. Contraction used, more informal.

they are trainees

"Trainees" implies learning a specific skill or job. Useful when referring to vocational training.

they are scholars

"Scholars" suggests a more academic or intellectual pursuit of knowledge.

they are undergraduates

Specifies that they are students pursuing a bachelor's degree.

they are postgraduates

Specifies that they are students pursuing a master's or doctoral degree.

they are academics in training

More elaborate, implying a long-term academic career path. More formal.

they are registered at the university

Expresses the state of being enrolled in university. More formal and less direct.

they are enrolled learners

Combines the general term "learners" with "enrolled" for clarity. Slightly more formal.

they are attending classes

Focuses on the action of attending classes rather than their overall status. Less direct.

FAQs

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

Use "they are students" to describe a group of people who are enrolled in an educational institution. For example, "Because "they are students", they receive discounts on public transportation."

What phrases are similar to "they are students"?

Similar phrases include "they are learners", "they are pupils", or "they are trainees", depending on the specific context and level of education.

Is it correct to say "they are student" instead of "they are students"?

No, "they are student" is grammatically incorrect. The plural form "students" should be used because "they" refers to a group of people.

What is the difference between "they are students" and "they are student athletes"?

"They are students" is a general statement indicating enrollment in an educational institution. "They are student athletes" specifies that, in addition to being students, they also participate in athletic programs.