they went through

USAGE SUMMARY

"they went through" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate the action of passing through a physical space, a thought process, or a difficult experience. For example, "After hours of arguing, they went through the difficult decision-making process together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So the pain that they went through wasn't in vain".

Huffington Post

They went through hell.

The New York Times - Books

They went through that together.

The New York Times

"They went through this together.

The New York Times

"After all they went through?

The New York Times

"They went through processing centres".

The Economist

They went through with it.

The Washington Post

They went through camp together.

The Guardian

Remember, they went through the same disaster.

The Washington Post

You can imagine what they went through.

The Guardian - Sport

You can't imagine what they went through".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional weight of "they went through". Use it when you want to emphasize the impact of an experience on a group of people.

Common error

Avoid using "they went through" without a clear and specific antecedent. Ensure the reader understands exactly who 'they' refers to and what 'it' is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they went through" serves as a verbal phrase indicating a process, experience, or ordeal that a group of people has undergone. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and common application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they went through" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe a group's shared experience or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. Its neutral register and high frequency make it a reliable choice for conveying information about experiences and processes. When employing this phrase, remember to provide a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication. Alternative expressions like "they experienced" or "they endured" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they experienced

Focuses on the act of undergoing something, whether positive or negative, similar to going through an experience.

they endured

Emphasizes the act of bearing something difficult or painful, similar to going through a challenging experience.

they faced

Highlights confronting a challenge or obstacle, analogous to going through a difficult situation.

they navigated

Implies carefully moving through a complex or challenging situation, similar to going through a complicated process.

they underwent

Indicates a formal or official process of experiencing something, similar to going through a procedure.

they passed through

Focuses on the act of physically moving through a place or time, analogous to going through a space or period.

they lived through

Emphasizes surviving a difficult event or period, similar to going through a crisis and emerging on the other side.

they proceeded through

Highlights the step-by-step progression through a process, akin to going through a series of stages.

they were subjected to

Emphasizes being forced to experience something, often unpleasant, similar to going through a trial or ordeal.

they bore the brunt of

Stresses experiencing the worst part of something difficult, similar to going through the worst phase of a crisis.

FAQs

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

You can use "they went through" to describe a shared experience, process, or hardship. For example, "They went through rigorous training" or "They went through a difficult time after the loss".

What's a more formal way to say "they went through"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "they underwent" or "they experienced". These alternatives maintain a similar meaning but sound more professional.

Is "they went through" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they went through" is grammatically correct. It uses the third-person plural pronoun "they" with the past tense of the verb "go through", which is a common and acceptable construction.

What's the difference between "they went through" and "they went past"?

"They went through" implies experiencing something or navigating a process, while "they went past" simply means they moved beyond a physical location. For example, "They went through a tunnel" vs. "They went past the store".