they were accepting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were accepting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or a group are open to receiving or agreeing to something, such as ideas, people, or changes. Example: "Despite the challenges, they were accepting of the new policies introduced by the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They were accepting the money".

The New York Times

They were accepting and largely unfazed.

The New Yorker

So I went to Nicaragua where they were accepting volunteers.

The New York Times - Science

A wag among the recipients said they were accepting the water "as a down-payment".

The Economist

What we did know was they were accepting anything over a certain amount.

The Guardian - Sport

Some said they were accepting proposals or were seeking sham marriages.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

And they were accepted for their skill.

The New York Times - Sports

You know, they were accepted as commodities.

The New York Times

AP/IB credits will be accepted IF they were accepted by the applicant's undergraduate institution.

Duke University

They were accepted to YCombinator, the most successful startup accelerator.

Forbes

They were accepted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were accepting", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being accepted, whether it's an idea, a proposal, or a group of people. Clarity avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "they were accepting" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Consider more precise synonyms like "they approved" or "they consented" to convey a specific type of acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were accepting" functions as a verb phrase, with "were accepting" serving as the past continuous form of the verb "accept". It describes an ongoing state of agreement, tolerance, or willingness. As Ludwig AI's examples indicate, this can relate to accepting ideas, people, or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were accepting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a group's past attitude of agreement or tolerance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register allows for broad application across various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. While alternatives like "they were receptive" or "they were amenable" may offer greater precision in some cases, "they were accepting" remains a versatile and widely understood choice. Be mindful to consider the specific nuance needed for your writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were receptive

Replaces "accepting" with a synonym suggesting openness to new ideas or suggestions.

they were amenable

Suggests a willingness to agree or comply with something.

they were agreeable

Similar to amenable, but implies a general pleasantness and willingness to cooperate.

they were open to

Indicates a willingness to consider or explore something without necessarily agreeing.

they were welcoming

Implies a friendly and positive reception.

they consented to

More formal, suggesting explicit agreement or permission.

they approved of

Suggests a positive judgment or endorsement.

they embraced

Implies enthusiastic acceptance and adoption of something.

they tolerated

Suggests acceptance despite not necessarily agreeing with or liking something.

they acknowledged

Implies recognizing something's validity or existence without necessarily approving of it.

FAQs

What does "they were accepting" mean?

The phrase "they were accepting" generally indicates that a group of people was open to receiving, agreeing with, or tolerating something, such as an idea, proposal, or group of people. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it's used.

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

You can use "they were accepting" to describe a group's attitude or response. For example: "Despite initial reservations, "they were accepting" of the new team members".

What can I say instead of "they were accepting"?

You can use alternatives like "they were receptive", "they were amenable", or "they were open to" depending on the context.

Is "they were accepting of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were accepting of" is grammatically correct. However, it's often more concise and equally correct to say simply "they were accepting". Both forms are widely used and understood.