they got divorced

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "they got divorced" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in the following sentence: "John and his wife were married for decades, but they got divorced last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"When I was 5, they got divorced.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Five years later, they got divorced".

The Guardian

"My parents got married young so, of course, they got divorced.

The New York Times

His parents explain how his early childhood bliss came to an end when they got divorced.

The Guardian - Music

They got divorced - "Roy was my mum's lawyer" - but are back together again now.

The Guardian

("It tells you something about arranged marriages, because they got divorced when I was 5").

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But if they get divorced they can't get remarried!

The New Yorker

When they get divorced, Shmuel gives Salka the shop.

The New Yorker

By the time they get divorced, they've already earned reputations as hard workers.

The Guardian - Opinion

They get divorced as much as anybody else, if not more.

The New York Times - Books

Because we've been here... people get married, they get divorced, but they always keep their same footy club don't they?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using overly casual or judgmental language when discussing a divorce. Focus on factual statements rather than personal opinions.

Common error

Do not assume the reasons behind the divorce. State simply "they got divorced" and avoid speculation or adding unsourced details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they got divorced" functions as a declarative statement indicating the legal dissolution of a marriage. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It directly conveys the fact that a married couple has ended their marital union.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they got divorced" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the end of a marriage. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in general conversation. The phrase's neutral tone and directness make it a useful way to convey this information without being overly emotional or speculative. While there are alternative phrases like "their marriage ended" or "they separated", the original phrase remains a clear and concise way to communicate the fact of a divorce.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are no longer together

Provides a simple and direct way of stating that the couple has separated.

they filed for divorce

Highlights the action of initiating the divorce process.

they ended their relationship

General way to say the relationship is over.

their marriage ended

Replaces the direct term "divorced" with a more general description of the marriage's conclusion.

the marriage broke down

Emphasizes the failure of the marriage.

they dissolved their marriage

Emphasizes the formal and legal nature of ending the marriage.

they separated legally

Focuses on the legal aspect of the separation, providing a more formal tone.

they parted ways

Uses a common idiom to express the idea of separating.

they went their separate ways

Uses a more idiomatic expression to describe the end of the relationship.

they called it quits

Offers a more informal and colloquial way of saying the relationship ended.

FAQs

What does "they got divorced" mean?

The phrase "they got divorced" simply means that a married couple has legally ended their marriage.

What can I say instead of "they got divorced"?

You can use alternatives like "their marriage ended", "they separated", or "they went their separate ways".

Is it appropriate to ask someone why "they got divorced"?

It depends on your relationship with the person. It is generally considered impolite to ask someone about the details of their divorce unless they offer the information first.

How do I write about a divorce respectfully?

Use neutral language like "they got divorced" or "the marriage ended". Avoid assigning blame or speculating about the reasons for the divorce.