they were big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were big" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of objects, animals, or even abstract concepts in a past context. Example: "The elephants at the zoo were big, much larger than I had imagined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were big walkers, too.

The New Yorker

"They were big and arrogant".

The New York Times - Sports

And they were big ones.

The Guardian

They were big stars".

The New Yorker

They were big pots.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were big men with big bellies.

The New Yorker

"They were big lawnmowers," Norell said.

The New Yorker

They were big by "indie" standards only.

The Economist

They were big, grey rats.

The Guardian

They were big shoes indeed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They were big-bottomed, gravid with liver; they huddled at the back of the pen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider more descriptive alternatives like "enormous", "massive", or "substantial" to enhance the impact and precision of your writing, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. This may help to avoid being repetitive and make your writing clearer and more impressive.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "they were big" without providing specific details or comparisons. Instead, add quantifiable metrics or relatable imagery to give the reader a clearer understanding of the scale or impact. For example, use "they were as big as cars" instead of just "they were big".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were big" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of being large in size, scope, or significance to a subject. As Ludwig confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. The phrase is often used to provide information about the characteristics of something in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were big" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the size, scale, or significance of a subject. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used in a variety of contexts, including news and media, business, and everyday conversation. While simple, it's essential to provide context or more descriptive alternatives for enhanced clarity. When writing, ensure that the subject and the intended meaning are clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider more descriptive alternatives to enhance the impact and precision of your writing. Common errors to avoid include overusing the phrase without specific details or comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were enormous

Emphasizes a greater degree of size than "they were big".

they were huge

Similar to "they were enormous", but slightly less formal.

they were immense

Highlights an exceptionally large size or scale.

they were massive

Implies both size and weight or impact.

they were gigantic

Suggests a size characteristic of giants, often used figuratively.

they were substantial

Focuses on the significance or amount rather than just physical size.

they were considerable

Similar to "substantial" but emphasizes importance or impact.

they were sizable

A more formal way of saying "they were big".

they were great

Can refer to size, but also to importance or quality; context-dependent.

they were extensive

Describes something that covers a large area or involves a large amount.

FAQs

What does "they were big" mean?

The phrase "they were big" means that a group of things or people had a notable size, magnitude, or importance. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it's used.

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

You can use "they were big" to describe the physical size of objects (e.g., "The apples they were big and juicy"), the importance of events (e.g., "They were big moments in history"), or the scale of something (e.g., "They were big productions").

Which is more descriptive, "they were big" or "they were huge"?

"They were huge" is generally more descriptive as it implies a greater size than "they were big". You can also use alternatives like "they were enormous" or "they were massive" for even greater emphasis.

What can I say instead of "they were big" to describe importance?

To describe importance, you can use alternatives like "they were significant", "they were crucial", or "they were pivotal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.