they united

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they united" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people coming together for a common purpose or goal. Example: "After months of negotiation, they united to form a coalition that would advocate for environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They united.

The New York Times

They united rather than divided.

Independent

Had they united, one might have won.

The New York Times

They united the jingoists and the avant-garde.

The New Yorker

Imagine how much better Labour might do if they united".

The Guardian

Then they united in a sustained ovation as the teams left the field.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"They [United] are the best, they are the champions and I think they will win World Club Cup too.

The Guardian - Sport

"They [United] obviously were very impressed because they've requested that they take him [Poole] for another week and play him in a game this time around," said Edinburgh.

BBC

They [United] will have regrets because they didn't get a second goal and it's down to us to make sure they regret it.

The Guardian - Sport

They [United] had to pay the €36m clause.

The Guardian - Sport

So I phoned [Sir Alex] Ferguson but they [United] might not have known it was me trying to get through.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they united" to clearly convey the idea of a group acting with a shared purpose or coming together after a period of division. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the resolution of conflict or the formation of a coalition.

Common error

Avoid using "they united" when describing individual actions or achievements. The phrase inherently implies a collective effort. For instance, don't say "they united to build a house" if each person worked independently on different parts; instead, say "they collaborated to build a house".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they united" functions primarily as a declarative statement, asserting that a group of individuals or entities has come together for a common purpose. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used in various contexts, from political coalitions to communities rallying after a disaster.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they united" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used expression that describes a group coming together for a shared purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic contexts. When using "they united", ensure that it accurately reflects a collective effort rather than individual actions and, in accordance with best practices, choose this phrase to clearly convey the idea of a group acting with a shared purpose. For example, "they joined forces", "they collaborated", or "they formed an alliance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they joined together

Replaces "united" with "joined together", emphasizing the act of coming together physically or metaphorically.

they combined their efforts

Focuses on the pooling of resources and energy to achieve a shared aim.

they collaborated

Implies a cooperative effort towards a common goal, highlighting the working together aspect.

they acted in concert

Emphasizes coordinated action and agreement in purpose.

they formed an alliance

Suggests a more formal agreement to work together, often for strategic purposes.

they banded together

Highlights a sense of solidarity and mutual support in facing a challenge.

they coalesced

Indicates a merging of different elements into a unified whole, suitable for abstract subjects.

they forged a union

Implies the creation of a strong and lasting bond, often with a formal structure.

they came to a consensus

Focuses on reaching an agreement after discussion and deliberation.

they integrated

Suggests the merging of different elements into a unified whole, suitable for diverse groups.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they united" indicates a group of individuals or entities coming together for a common purpose. For example: "Despite their differences, "they united" to address the environmental crisis."

What are some alternatives to "they united"?

Alternatives to "they united" include "they joined forces", "they collaborated", or "they formed an alliance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "they united together"?

Saying "they united together" is somewhat redundant, as the word "united" already implies a joining or coming together. It's generally better to simply say "they united".

What is the difference between "they united" and "they agreed"?

"They united" implies a coming together or joining of forces, whereas "they agreed" simply means they reached a consensus on a particular matter. "They united" often suggests a deeper level of commitment and cooperation than "they agreed".