they existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they existed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the presence or reality of something or someone in the past. Example: "In ancient times, they existed as a powerful civilization that influenced many cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They existed.

The New York Times

Yes, they existed.

The New Yorker

But, above all, they existed.

The New Yorker

The point is they existed.

The New York Times

He didn't know they existed.

The New York Times - Magazine

We knew that they existed.

Independent

But what if they existed?

The Economist

Last week they existed.

The New Yorker

The point was that they existed.

The New Yorker

I thought they existed for N.Y.U.

The New York Times

"They existed, but you couldn't find them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they existed" to clearly and directly state the past presence or reality of something, whether it's a physical object, an idea, or a group of people.

Common error

Ensure the antecedent of "they" is clear to avoid confusion. If the subject is not immediately obvious, rephrase to specify who or what "they" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they existed" functions as a simple past tense declarative statement. It asserts the past presence or reality of a subject, indicating that something or someone was in existence at a prior point in time, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they existed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the past presence or reality of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, media, and scientific writing. When using "they existed", clarity is key; ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "they were present" or "they used to be" can provide nuanced meaning depending on the specific context. Remember to maintain the correct tense based on the time frame you're referencing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were present

Focuses on the state of being in a particular place or time.

they were in existence

Emphasizes the fact of being real or actual.

they had being

Highlights the fundamental nature of existence.

they were real

Underscores the authenticity or genuineness of their presence.

they came to be

Focuses on the beginning of their existence.

they were around

Suggests a casual or informal presence in a particular environment.

they used to be

Implies that they existed in the past but no longer do.

they obtained

Indicates the establishment or creation of what is currently known.

they once lived

Specifically refers to living beings and their past existence.

they were a thing

An informal way of saying something was present in the past.

FAQs

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

Use "they existed" to indicate that something was present or real at some point in the past. For example, "Before modern technology, certain skills were essential because "they existed"".

What are some alternatives to "they existed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were present", "they were real", or "they used to be", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they exist" instead of "they existed"?

The correct tense depends on the time frame you are referring to. Use "they exist" if you are talking about something in the present, and "they existed" if you are talking about something in the past.

What's the difference between "they existed" and "they survived"?

"They existed" simply means they were present or real. "They survived" implies they faced a challenge or hardship and managed to continue existing.