they enjoyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they enjoyed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something someone enjoyed doing. For example: "They enjoyed exploring the local sights during their vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, they enjoyed talking.

The New York Times

and they enjoyed it.

The New York Times

They enjoyed each other's company.

The New York Times - Books

They enjoyed it.

The New York Times

They enjoyed their experience".

The New York Times - Sports

"They enjoyed their millions for long enough".

The New York Times

They enjoyed tennis, golf, friends and family.

The New York Times

And they enjoyed one another's company.

The New York Times

In return, they enjoyed delicious meat.

The Economist

They enjoyed movies, theater, books, concerts.

The New York Times

I hope they enjoyed the ending.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about past experiences, use "they enjoyed" to clearly and concisely convey that a group of people experienced pleasure or satisfaction. For variety, alternate with synonyms like "they relished" or "they appreciated" when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "they enjoy" when referring to a past event. "They enjoy" describes a habitual or current activity, whereas "they enjoyed" refers to a specific past instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they enjoyed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past experience that was pleasurable or satisfying for a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form. This is observed across numerous examples where "they" refers to a group and "enjoyed" expresses their positive experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they enjoyed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a group of people experienced pleasure or satisfaction in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly suitable for written English. Its usage spans diverse contexts, most prominently in news and media, followed by scientific publications. While synonyms like "they appreciated" or "they relished" can add variety, it's crucial to maintain tense consistency and avoid misusing "they enjoy" for past events. By understanding its nuances and contexts, writers can effectively convey past positive experiences with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they appreciated it

Focuses on gratitude and recognition of value rather than just pleasure.

they relished it

Emphasizes a deep sense of pleasure and savoring the experience.

they savored it

Implies a slower, more deliberate enjoyment of something.

they delighted in it

Suggests a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

they took pleasure in it

A more formal way of expressing enjoyment.

they found it pleasurable

Shifts the focus to the inherent quality of the experience.

they derived satisfaction from it

Highlights the sense of fulfillment gained from the experience.

it pleased them

A more passive construction focusing on the effect on the subject.

they were amused by it

Highlights the entertaining aspect of the experienced.

they had a good time

Colloquial expression for enjoying something, less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "they enjoyed" in a sentence?

Use "they enjoyed" to describe a past experience that a group of people found pleasurable or satisfying. For example: "They enjoyed the concert" or "They enjoyed spending time together".

What are some alternatives to saying "they enjoyed"?

You can use alternatives like "they appreciated it", "they relished it", or "they delighted in it" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they enjoy" when referring to something that happened in the past?

No, "they enjoy" is present tense. To refer to a past experience, use "they enjoyed". For example, "They enjoy going to the park every Sunday" (present) versus "They enjoyed their visit to the museum yesterday" (past).

What is the difference between "they enjoyed" and "they were enjoying"?

"They enjoyed" describes a completed action in the past, while "they were enjoying" describes an ongoing action in the past. For example, "They enjoyed the movie" means the experience is over, while "They were enjoying the movie" implies the enjoyment was happening at a specific time in the past.