they were closed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were closed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a place, such as a store or establishment, is not open for business at a particular time. Example: "I arrived at the coffee shop only to find that they were closed for renovations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can press this repeatedly to continue opening closed tabs in the order they were closed.

WikiHow

In 1963, they were closed to the public.

Independent

They were closed for days after Sept. 11.

The New York Times

While they were closed, players gravitated elsewhere, never to return.

The New York Times

They were closed for two hours but reopened on Friday night.

The New York Times

Some schools tried to recover fees for the three months when they were closed.

The New York Times

We tried to call the Taxi and Limousine Commission, but they were closed for the night.

The New York Times

They were closed yesterday in observance of Martin Luther King's birthday.

The New York Times

I showed up in the morning to join the Air Force, and they were closed.

The New York Times - Magazine

And after they were closed for renovation in August, some very sad scenes ensued.

The New York Times - Arts

"The first time, they ran out of food, and yesterday they were closed," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were closed", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject, such as "the stores were closed" or "the roads were closed".

Common error

Avoid using "they was closed". The correct form is "they were closed", ensuring the verb agrees with the plural subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were closed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (represented by "they") experienced the action of being closed. This indicates the state of being inaccessible or non-operational. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Vice

4%

TechCrunch

4%

Huffington Post

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were closed" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something was not open or accessible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, context is key to understanding the specific reasons behind the closure. For more formal situations, alternatives like "they were unavailable" may be more appropriate. It is important to ensure correct subject-verb agreement (using "were" with "they") and to clearly specify what "they" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were shut down

Emphasizes a more definitive cessation of operation.

they were unavailable

Indicates a temporary or situational lack of access.

they were not open

Directly states the opposite of being open for business.

they were inaccessible

Highlights the inability to reach or enter a place.

they were out of service

Specifically used when something is temporarily not functioning.

they had ceased operations

Formal way to indicate that activities have stopped.

they were non-operational

Technical term to describe that something is not working or running.

they were not functioning

Focuses on the lack of proper function or activity.

they were deactivated

Suggests a deliberate action to make something inactive.

they were terminated

Indicates a final and irreversible end to something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were closed" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "they were unavailable", "they had ceased operations", or "they were non-operational".

What's the difference between "they were closed" and "they were shut down"?

"They were closed" generally implies a temporary or regular cessation of activity, while "they were shut down" often suggests a more permanent or forceful closure.

Is it correct to say "they was closed"?

No, "they was closed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were closed", as "were" is the plural past tense form of "to be".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "they were closed"?

It is appropriate to use "they were closed" when referring to businesses, institutions, roads, or any entities that are not open or accessible at a particular time due to various reasons such as holidays, maintenance, or emergencies.