they did that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they did that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific action or event that someone or a group of people has completed or accomplished. Example: "When asked about the project, she simply replied, 'Yes, they did that.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Academic Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Now they did that".

The New Yorker

They did that for us.

The New York Times

They did that very well.

Independent

They did that tonight".

The New York Times - Sports

And tonight they did that".

The New York Times - Sports

I don't understand why they did that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Do they do that?

The New York Times

"How do they do that?

The New York Times - Magazine

How did they do that?

The New York Times

How are they doing that?

The New York Times

Why are they doing that?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, especially in formal writing, consider replacing "they did that" with a more descriptive phrase like "they accomplished that" or "they completed the task."

Common error

Avoid using "they did that" if it's unclear who "they" refers to. This can lead to confusion. Always ensure the pronoun has a clear antecedent in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they did that" functions as a declarative statement, indicating the completion of an action by a group of individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they did that" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the completion of an action by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and broad usage. While versatile, it is generally considered neutral to informal, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. For enhanced clarity or formality, consider using alternatives like "they accomplished that" or "they completed the task". Always ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent to avoid confusion. "They did that" is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with sports and academic discussions also being common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they accomplished that

Replaces "did" with a more formal synonym, "accomplished".

they achieved that

Similar to "accomplished", "achieved" emphasizes success in reaching a goal.

they carried that out

Emphasizes the execution or performance of a task.

they executed that

A more formal and technical synonym for "carried out".

they performed that action

A more descriptive and formal alternative.

they saw to that

Implies ensuring something was done, taking responsibility.

they took care of that

Indicates completion of a task, often with a sense of responsibility.

they handled that

Implies managing or dealing with a situation effectively.

that was done by them

A passive voice construction, emphasizing the action rather than the actors.

they were responsible for that

Highlights accountability and agency in completing the action.

FAQs

What does "they did that" mean?

The phrase "they did that" means that a group of people completed a task or action. It's a simple and direct way to state accomplishment.

What can I say instead of "they did that"?

You can use alternatives like "they accomplished that", "they achieved that", or "they carried that out" depending on the context.

Is "they did that" formal or informal?

The phrase "they did that" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "they accomplished that" or "they executed the plan".

How can I use "they did that" in a sentence?

You can use "they did that" in a sentence like, "When asked who finished the project, she responded, 'Oh, "they did that" last week.'"