they got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they got" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that someone has obtained. For example, "They got a promotion at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They got it, baby".

The New Yorker

But they got through.

The New Yorker

They got married.

The New York Times

And they got it.

The New York Times - Arts

They got on well.

The Guardian

They got £300 million.

The New York Times - Arts

They got lucky.

Independent

They got it done.

The New York Times - Sports

They got neither.

The New York Times - Sports

"They got smacked around.

The New York Times

They got buried, too.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "they got" with a specific object or outcome. For instance, "They got the job" is more informative than just "They got". This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "they got" is acceptable, excessive use in formal documents can make your writing sound less professional. Substitute with more formal alternatives like "they obtained", "they received", or "they acquired" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they got" functions as a simple past tense construction indicating that a group of people or entities received, obtained, or achieved something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used. It expresses a completed action in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they got" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that a group of people received, obtained, or achieved something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally correct and usable. While highly versatile across numerous contexts, including news and general conversation, be mindful of its slight informality. In formal documents, substitute more polished alternatives like "they obtained" or "they acquired". Remember to provide a specific object after the phrase to provide context and maximize clarity in your writing. Also, avoid overusing it in formal writing. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently incorporate "they got" in diverse writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they obtained

Replaces "got" with a more formal synonym.

they received

Similar to 'obtained', but emphasizes the act of being given something.

they acquired

Implies gaining possession of something, often through effort.

they managed to get

Indicates some difficulty or effort was involved.

they achieved

Focuses on accomplishment or success in obtaining something.

they secured

Highlights the effort to ensure they would get something.

they were given

Uses passive voice to emphasize the act of receiving.

they came into possession of

A more elaborate way of saying they received something.

they were awarded

Emphasizes a formal recognition or bestowal.

they landed

Informal way of saying they successfully obtained something, often implying luck.

FAQs

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

You can use "they got" to indicate that a group of people obtained, received, or achieved something. For example, "They got the tickets to the concert" or "They got a promotion at work".

What are some alternatives to "they got"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they obtained", "they received", or "they acquired".

Is "they got" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "they got" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use more sophisticated alternatives like "they obtained" or "they secured".

What's the difference between "they got" and "they have"?

"They got" indicates a past action of obtaining something, whereas "they have" indicates a present state of possession. For example, "They got the package yesterday" versus "They have the package now".