they went out

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'they went out' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use this sentence anytime you want to indicate that someone or a group of people left a place. For example, "After lunch, they went out for a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

They went out alone.

The New York Times - Health

Then they went out entirely.

The New York Times - Arts

They went out to eat.

The New Yorker

They went out drinking again.

The New Yorker

They went out locally.

The Guardian - Sport

That's why they went out there".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

If they go out, they go out.

The New York Times - Sports

"They go out like crazy.

The New York Times

Now they go out dancing together.

The New York Times

Then they go out into the night.

The New Yorker

"They go out and look.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they went out" to describe a group of people leaving a place for a specific purpose or activity. For example, "They went out for dinner" is clear and concise.

Common error

Avoid using "went" when a more complex tense is required. For example, instead of "They had went out", use "They had gone out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they went out" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of a group of people leaving a place. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, from going out to eat to participating in protests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they went out" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a group of people leaving a location, suitable for various contexts as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans from casual outings to more purposeful departures. While simple, it effectively conveys the action of leaving. For alternative expressions, consider "they left" or "they departed". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its general applicability and neutrality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they left

Simplifies "went out" to a basic expression of leaving.

they departed

Replaces "went out" with a more formal term for leaving.

they headed out

Indicates a direction or destination for their departure.

they stepped out

Suggests a brief or casual departure.

they ventured out

Highlights the element of risk or exploration.

they emerged

Emphasizes the act of coming out from a place.

they exited

A more technical or formal way to say they left.

they sallied forth

Adds a sense of adventure or purpose to the departure.

they repaired

Suggests going to a specific place or purpose.

they absented themselves

A formal and somewhat indirect way to say they left.

FAQs

How can I use "they went out" in a sentence?

Use "they went out" to indicate that a group of people left a place. For instance, "After the meeting, "they went out" for coffee".

What can I say instead of "they went out"?

You can use alternatives like "they left", "they departed", or "they headed out depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they had went out"?

No, "they had went out" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they had "they had gone out"". The past participle of "go" is "gone", not "went".

What is the difference between "they went out" and "they are out"?

"They went out" indicates a past action of leaving a place, while "they are out" indicates their current state of being away from a place.