they were active

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were active' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group of people who were engaged in some activity. Example: The students were active participants in the discussion session.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Morin and rutin alone have no antibacterial activity but together they were active against S. aureus ATCC 25923 and E. coli ATCC 25922 [ 18].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

In Gaza they were active in many mosques, while their activities in the West Bank generally were limited to the universities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

None of them met while they were active.

The Guardian

There were many volcanos and they were active.

The New Yorker

"I don't think they were active in my race".

The New York Times

Even when the bench came in, they were active".

The New York Times - Sports

In one, they were active participants; in the other, passive observers.

The New York Times - Health

Indeed, for a very long time they were active members of the Liberal party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dot showed Krakow the sheet music that was used by the Shaggs when they were active.

The New Yorker

In her survey, 95 percent said they were active in sports when they were teenagers and 85 percent said they were active as young adults.

The New York Times

Throughout their lives they were active in Democratic politics, social justice and environmental causes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past activities, ensure the context clearly defines what "they" refers to and in what area "they" were engaged, providing specific details to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were active" without specifying the activity. Always provide context to clarify what actions or processes "they" were involved in to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were active" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a group or entity was engaged in some form of activity or process. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were active" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the engagement or involvement of a group in specific actions or processes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is applicable across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic discussions. It's crucial to provide context to avoid ambiguity and ensure clear communication. When clarity and specificity are paramount, consider alternatives like "they participated", "they were engaged", or "they took part" for a more precise conveyance of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they participated

Focuses specifically on involvement or taking part in something.

they were engaged

Highlights their involvement and interest in something.

they took part

Emphasizes their role in contributing to an event or activity.

they were involved

Indicates a connection or association with something.

they functioned

Refers to their operational status or ability to perform.

they were operational

Stresses their working condition or readiness for use.

they contributed

Highlights their role in adding value or making a difference.

they performed

Focuses on their execution of a task or activity.

they were instrumental

Emphasizes their importance or essential role.

they played a role

Highlights their involvement in a specific capacity.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were active" to describe a group's involvement in a particular activity. For instance, "During the protest, "they were active" in organizing rallies and spreading awareness".

What are some alternatives to "they were active"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they participated", "they were engaged", or "they took part", each emphasizing different aspects of involvement.

Is it correct to say "they was active"?

No, "they was active" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""they were active"" because "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be".

How does "they were active" differ from "they were reactive"?

"They were active" implies taking initiative and engaging in proactive behavior, while "they were reactive" suggests responding to events or situations after they occur.