they used to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they used to be" is a correct and widely-used expression in written English.
It is used to express that something has changed from an earlier time. For example, "They used to be friends, but now they are estranged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They used to be offering us help.

Independent

They used to be.

The New York Times

They used to be impaled.

Independent

They used to be inseparable.

The New Yorker

"They used to be darker.

The New York Times

They used to be illegal".

The New Yorker

Or at least, they used to be.

The New York Times

They used to be scary blurry".

The New York Times - Sports

They used to be surreptitious.

The New York Times

Or they used to be.

The New York Times

They used to be gravel.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they used to be" to clearly indicate a change over time, contrasting a past state with the current one. This helps to highlight transformations and shifts in conditions or attributes.

Common error

Avoid using "they used to be" when referring to something that is still true or was only true for a very brief, recent period. This phrase implies a more significant duration in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they used to be" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a past state, condition, or habit that is no longer true in the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and widely used expression. Examples from Ludwig show its application in describing changes across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they used to be" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for indicating a past state that no longer holds true. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. As seen in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring the context reflects a genuine change over time. Remember to consider alternatives like "they once were" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they once were

Emphasizes a past state, implying a change over time.

they were formerly

Highlights a previous identity or condition.

in the past, they were

Directly indicates a time before the present.

at one time, they had been

Suggests a specific period when a condition existed.

they have since changed

Focuses on the alteration from a previous state.

they previously existed as

Highlights the prior existence and nature of something.

earlier, they functioned as

Focuses on a past role or function.

they are no longer

Emphasizes the current absence of a past state.

they are not what they once were

A more emphatic way of saying something has changed for the worse.

they were different before

A simple way to point out a past difference.

FAQs

How can I use "they used to be" in a sentence?

Use "they used to be" to describe a state or condition that existed in the past but is no longer true. For example, "They used to be friends, but now they are rivals."

What is a simple alternative to "they used to be"?

A simple alternative is "they once were". For example, instead of saying "they used to be inseparable", you could say "they once were inseparable."

Is "they used to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they used to be" is grammatically correct. It is a common and accepted way to express a past state or habit that is no longer the case.

What's the difference between "they used to be" and "they were"?

"They were" simply describes a past state. "They used to be" implies that the state has changed. For example, "They were neighbors" just states a fact about the past, while "They used to be neighbors" suggests they are no longer neighbors.