they were all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were all" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people or things collectively, often to emphasize that every member of the group is included. Example: "They were all excited about the upcoming event and couldn't wait to participate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were all white.

The New York Times

They were all failures.

The New York Times - Food

They were all missing".

The New York Times

They were all friends.

The New York Times

They were all quiet.

The New Yorker

They were all denied.

The New York Times

They were all booked.

The New York Times

"They were all poor.

The New York Times

"They were all thrilled".

The New York Times - Sports

"They were all hot".

The New York Times

They were all safe.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were all" to clearly indicate that a statement applies to every member of a specific group, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they was all", as "was" is singular and does not agree with the plural subject "they". Ensure the verb tense matches the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were all" functions as a collective descriptor, attributing a shared characteristic or state to a group. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing shared feelings, conditions, or attributes within a defined group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Huffington Post

22%

The New Yorker

7%

Less common in

Forbes

3%

Wikipedia

1%

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were all" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a shared attribute or condition within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. To ensure correct usage, writers should avoid the common error of using a singular verb form ("was") with the plural subject "they". Alternatives such as "all of them were" or "each of them were" can be used for stylistic variation. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate the phrase's versatility and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all of them were

A more direct and common synonym, placing emphasis on the entire group.

collectively, they were

Similar to 'all of them', but emphasizes the group acting or being considered together.

every one of them was

Emphasizes individuality within the group more strongly than the original phrase.

each of them were

Highlights the separate, individual nature of each member of the group.

they each were

Focuses on the individual experience within the group.

without exception, they were

Adds emphasis on the lack of any exclusions or exceptions.

one and all, they were

A more emphatic and somewhat archaic way to express that everyone was included.

they unanimously were

Implies a shared quality or characteristic with complete agreement or uniformity.

in totality, they were

Highlights the collective aspect of the group and their state.

taken as a whole, they were

Focuses on considering the group as a single unit to assess their state.

FAQs

How do I use "they were all" in a sentence?

Use "they were all" to indicate that every member of a group shared a characteristic or experience. For instance, "They were all excited about the trip."

What phrases can I use instead of "they were all"?

Alternatives include "all of them were", "each of them were", or "every one of them was", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they was all"?

No, "they was all" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were all", as the plural pronoun "they" requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were".

What's the difference between "they were all" and "all of them were"?

The phrases "they were all" and "all of them were" are largely interchangeable. However, "all of them were" might be slightly more emphatic in certain contexts, highlighting the entirety of the group.