they were born

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were born' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone was born. For example, "My parents were born in the 1950s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were born lever-pullers.

Independent

They were born that way.

The New York Times - Magazine

They were born into it.

The New York Times

They were born here.

The New York Times

"They were born and raised here.

The New York Times

They were born in New York.

The New Yorker

No, because they were born of honesty.

The New York Times - Magazine

They were born and raised there.

The Economist

They know when they were born".

The New York Times

They were born EU citizens.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were born in America, but barely.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were born" to clearly state the place or time of someone's birth. For example, "They were born in Seoul in 1985 and 1992" indicates the specific location and years of birth.

Common error

Ensure that the context makes it clear who or what "they" refers to. Avoid using "they were born" if the subject is unclear, as it can lead to confusion. Provide specific names or descriptions to clarify the reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were born" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating the origin or birth of a group of individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were born" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the origin or birth of a group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who "they" refers to, and avoid ambiguity by providing relevant contextual information. By considering the advice and alternatives provided, you can use "they were born" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were brought into the world

Emphasizes the act of bringing someone into existence.

they entered the world

Similar to 'brought into the world', but slightly less emphatic.

their life began

Focuses on the start of their individual existence.

they saw the light of day

An idiomatic expression for being born or created.

they originated

Focuses on the place or cause of beginning or creation rather than the event of being born.

they came into existence

A more formal way to express that something started to exist.

they were created

Implies an act of creation, rather than a natural birth.

they emerged

Suggests a gradual appearance or development.

they first appeared

Highlights the moment they became visible or known.

they were conceived

Focuses on the moment of conception, rather than birth.

FAQs

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

Use "they were born" to indicate the time or place of someone's origin. For example, "They were born in a small village" describes where someone originated.

What are some alternatives to "they were born"?

Alternatives include "they originated", "they came into existence", or "they were created", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they was born" instead of "they were born"?

No, "they was born" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "they were born" because "they" is plural and requires the plural form of the verb 'to be'.

What's the difference between "they were born" and "they are born"?

"They were born" refers to a past event, indicating when someone's birth occurred. "They are born" is generally incorrect, unless used in a specific, less common context like describing a characteristic of a group (e.g., 'They are born leaders').