they were about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were about' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you can use the phrase 'they were about' in the sentence, "We knew they were about to leave, so we said our goodbyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were about now.

The Guardian

They were about to pack it in.

The New York Times

In 2015, they were about equal.

The New York Times

After the handouts, they were about equal.

The New York Times - Health

"They were about to sell their children," he said.

The New York Times

If they were about, God could not be far behind.

The New Yorker

They were about fundraising.

Huffington Post

They were about 1.5 h in length, recorded and transcribed.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

They were about fear.

The New York Times

They were about values.

The New York Times

They were about today.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were about" to introduce the core subject or purpose of a discussion or action. For clarity, ensure the context makes it clear who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they was about" due to incorrect subject-verb agreement. Remember that "they" is plural and requires the plural verb form "were".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were about" primarily functions as a clause element introducing the subject matter or focus of a discussion, event, or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. The phrase sets the context for what follows, indicating the core theme or purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were about" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to introduce the main topic or focus of a discussion, event, or action. It is commonly found in news and media sources, as well as in scientific writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard English phrase, but care should be taken to maintain subject-verb agreement and to avoid confusion with similar phrases like "they were about to". Alternatives such as "they were focused on" or "they dealt with" can be used to provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they dealt with

Implies a direct act of managing or processing an issue.

they pertained to

Implies a direct relevance or connection.

they were focused on

Highlights the main point to what they devoted their attention and efforts.

they revolved around

Indicates the central theme or subject.

they concerned themselves with

Focuses on the act of addressing something, implying a deliberate intention to solve it.

they were on the verge of

Emphasizes the imminence of an event.

they intended to

Highlights the plan or intention behind an action.

they were close to

Indicates proximity, either physically or in terms of reaching a state or action.

they were in relation to

This suggests a connection or association between different topics.

they almost

Emphasizes the near completion or occurrence of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "they were about" in a sentence?

You can use "they were about" to describe the main topic or focus of something. For example, "The discussions "they were about" the upcoming changes to the policy".

What are some alternatives to "they were about"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they concerned themselves with", "they were focused on", or "they dealt with", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "they were about" or "they was about"?

"They were about" is correct. "They" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were".

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

"They were about to" indicates an imminent action, while ""they were about"" generally refers to the topic or subject at hand. For example, "They were about to leave" versus "The meeting "they were about" the budget".