they really are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they really are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the truth or reality of a statement about a subject or group of people. Example: "Despite the challenges, they really are committed to making a difference in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They really are spectacular.

The New York Times - Tech

They really are.

The New York Times

PROFESSOR: They really are.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They really are separate companies.

The New York Times

But they really are".

The New York Times

Who they really are.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They really are valuable".

The New York Times

"They really are beautiful".

The New York Times

Here they really are.

The New York Times - Arts

They really are friends".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They really are scared".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they really are" to emphasize the truth or reality of a statement, especially when addressing doubts or disbelief. It adds conviction to your assertions.

Common error

Avoid using "they really are" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "they genuinely are" or "they certainly are".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they really are" functions as an emphatic affirmation, strengthening the validity of a statement. It serves to underscore a characteristic or state, asserting its truth, as evidenced by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they really are" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize the truth of a statement. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "they genuinely are" or "they certainly are" in academic or professional settings to maintain a sophisticated tone. Remember to use the phrase to add conviction and clarity to your writing, avoiding overuse in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they genuinely are

Replaces "really" with "genuinely" to provide a slightly more formal tone while retaining the emphasis.

they truly are

Substitutes "really" with "truly", offering a synonym that also emphasizes the veracity of the statement.

they actually are

Uses "actually" instead of "really" to emphasize that something is true, especially when it might be surprising.

they certainly are

Employs "certainly" to convey a sense of assurance and confirmation about the statement.

they definitely are

Replaces "really" with "definitely", suggesting a strong sense of certainty and agreement.

they indeed are

Uses "indeed" for a more formal and emphatic confirmation.

it's true they are

Rearranges the sentence structure to place emphasis on the truth of the statement.

they are in fact

Employs "in fact" to highlight the reality of the situation being described.

they are truly

Moves "truly" to the end of the phrase and omits the verb to give a shorter expression.

they are genuinely

Moves "genuinely" to the end of the phrase and omits the verb to give a shorter expression.

FAQs

How can I use "they really are" in a sentence?

You can use "they really are" to emphasize a quality or state. For example, "Despite their reputation, "they really are" dedicated employees."

What phrases are similar to "they really are"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "they truly are", "they genuinely are", or "they certainly are", which all emphasize the truth of a statement.

Is "they really are" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "they really are" may sound less formal. Consider using alternatives like "they indeed are" or "they actually are" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "they really are" and "they truly are"?

Both phrases convey emphasis, but "they truly are" may be perceived as slightly more formal or sincere compared to ""they really are"".