they were already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was the case at a previous time or that an action had been completed before another action occurred. Example: "By the time we arrived at the party, they were already dancing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They were already here.

The New Yorker

They were already citizens.

The New Yorker

They were already standing.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were already life partners".

The New York Times

They were already coming over.

The New York Times - Sports

They were already dead.

The New York Times

They were already there.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were already sold".

The New York Times

They were already Lads.

The Guardian - Sport

Rider advocates said they were already apprehensive.

The New York Times

They were already running out of food.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were already" to clearly indicate that a state or action was in effect before a specific time or event. This ensures clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they are already" when referring to past events. "They were already" is the correct tense to indicate that something was the case at a previous time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were already" functions as a declarative statement indicating a state or action that was in effect prior to a specific point in time. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were already" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a pre-existing condition or action. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase serves to establish a prior state of affairs. When writing, using the right tense is crucial to communicate effectively. Remember that "they were already" is for the past, and that there are many alternatives with similar meaning that you could consider.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had already been

This alternative uses the past perfect tense to emphasize the completion of an action before another point in time.

they had previously

Replaces "already" with "previously", focusing on a prior state or action.

they were in the process of

This suggests an ongoing action at a past point, implying a state before a specific event.

they were at that point

Emphasizes a state of being at a specific moment in the past.

they had at that time

This version highlights a condition existing at a certain past time.

they were now

Focuses on the state they had reached by a particular time.

they were then

Indicates a condition or situation at a given past moment.

they were as of then

Formal way of indicating a state as of a specific past time.

they were by that time

Highlights the state they had reached by a particular moment.

they found themselves

Emphasizes how they ended up in a specific situation.

FAQs

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

Use "they were already" to indicate that a group had completed an action or reached a certain state before a particular point in time. For instance, "By the time we arrived, "they were already eating"."

What phrases can replace "they were already"?

Alternatives include "they had already been", "they had previously", or "they were in the process of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "they were already" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were already" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of "to be" (were) with the adverb "already" to indicate that something was the case at a prior time.

What is the difference between "they were already" and "they are already"?

"They were already" refers to a past situation, while "they are already" refers to a current situation. For example, "they were already gone" implies they left in the past, whereas "they are already gone" means they are currently not here.