they were arguing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were arguing" is correct and can be used in written English.
It describes an ongoing action or situation in the past where two or more people were engaged in a heated discussion or disagreement. Example: "They were arguing about which movie to watch on their date night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They were arguing".

The New York Times

Again, they were arguing.

The New Yorker

And they were arguing.

The New York Times

"They were arguing too much".

The New York Times - Style

But in another moment they were arguing.

The New Yorker

They were arguing like married people.

The New Yorker

They were arguing in the dressing room.

The Guardian

They were arguing about the war, deciding on Russian strategy.

The New Yorker

The couldn't agree because they were arguing from different premises.

The Guardian - Books

"I don't know, they were arguing, and they put him in jail for a few hours.

The New York Times

They were arguing under New York wrongful-death law it wasn't worth very much.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were arguing" to describe an ongoing dispute in the past. It implies a process rather than a single event.

Common error

Avoid using "they argued" when you want to emphasize the duration or process of the argument. "They argued" suggests a completed event, whereas "they were arguing" describes an ongoing situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were arguing" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were arguing" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe an ongoing disagreement in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's suitable for a neutral register and is frequently found in news and media sources. When writing, remember that this phrase emphasizes the process of the argument, distinguishing it from the simple past tense "they argued", which indicates a completed event. Alternatives such as "they were debating" or "they were disputing" can offer more specific nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were debating

Focuses on a more formal or structured disagreement, often involving reasoned arguments.

they were disputing

Highlights a disagreement over facts or principles.

they were quarreling

Implies a more heated and personal disagreement, often with emotional undertones.

they were bickering

Suggests a petty and ongoing argument, usually about minor issues.

they were wrangling

Indicates a struggle or contest, often involving complex or strategic maneuvering in the argument.

they were clashing

Emphasizes a direct and forceful confrontation of opinions or ideas.

they were contending

Highlights a situation where individuals are asserting different views or claims.

they were at odds

Indicates a state of disagreement or conflict between individuals.

they were differing

Focuses on the existence of different opinions or perspectives.

they were in disagreement

A more formal way to express that people did not share the same opinion.

FAQs

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

Use "they were arguing" to describe an ongoing dispute or disagreement between two or more people in the past. For example, "They were arguing about politics all night".

What's the difference between "they were arguing" and "they argued"?

"They were arguing" indicates an ongoing action in the past, whereas "they argued" suggests a completed event. The former emphasizes the process of arguing, while the latter focuses on the fact that an argument occurred.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were debating", "they were disputing", or "they were quarreling" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was arguing"?

No, "they was arguing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were arguing", as "were" is the plural form of the past tense of "to be" and agrees with the plural subject "they".