they were colossal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were colossal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely large or impressive, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The ancient statues they discovered were colossal, towering over the landscape and leaving visitors in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They were colossal".

Independent

They were colossal failures of judgment — and judgment is what we look for in a President".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Because they are colossal and colossally self-important said self-important saidch to make the talent look ridiculouselfven with that tregardin the case—the Heat have, in the Bieber-Sheedoesnternet sense of the word, haters.

Vice

They are colossal musicians and playing with them was like getting into a big, very fast car and then breaking the speed limit.

The Guardian

They're colossal – sometimes magnificent – and they are growing ever bigger and more numerous in the Anthropocene, as humans carry out the greatest ever urban migration.

BBC

But when you stand next to them in the maintenance shop, they are colossal, as tall as a four- or five-story building.

Huffington Post

So were colossal miscalculations.

The New York Times - Books

And some of the flops were colossal.

The New York Times - Tech

Those were colossal shoes to fill.

The Economist

These were colossal achievements in which constancy and imagination coalesced.

The New York Times

The mammalian die-offs were colossal.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were colossal" when you want to emphasize not only great size but also impressiveness and significance. Consider context to ensure it's the most fitting descriptor.

Common error

Avoid using "they were colossal" in very casual conversations. Simpler terms like "big" or "huge" may be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were colossal" functions as a descriptive phrase, attributing the quality of being extremely large and impressive to the subject. Ludwig examples show its use in describing failures, musicians, and buildings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were colossal" is a grammatically sound and impactful way to describe something of immense size or significance. Ludwig's AI analysis indicates its correctness and notes its use in various contexts, mainly within news and media. While versatile, it's best suited for situations where emphasizing scale and impressiveness are key. When it comes to alternative phrases, consider "they were enormous" or "they were gigantic" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were enormous

Replaces "colossal" with a more common synonym, emphasizing size.

they were gigantic

Similar to "enormous", but suggests an even greater size.

they were immense

Focuses on the scale and impressiveness.

they were huge

A simpler, more direct way to describe large size.

they were massive

Emphasizes weight and solidity in addition to size.

they were monumental

Highlights the lasting importance and impressiveness, not just size.

they were tremendous

Conveys a sense of overwhelming scale or impact.

they were prodigious

Implies something extraordinary or remarkable in its size or extent.

they were stupendous

Highlights the astonishing or awe-inspiring nature.

their scale was colossal

Shifts the focus to the scale as being colossal.

FAQs

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

Use "they were colossal" to describe something impressively large or significant, for example, "The statues "they were colossal" and dominated the landscape."

What are some alternatives to "they were colossal"?

Alternatives include "they were enormous", "they were gigantic", or "they were immense", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they were colossal" formal or informal?

"They were colossal" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for news reports and descriptive writing, but might sound overly dramatic in very casual conversation.

What's the difference between "they were colossal" and "they were huge"?

"They were huge" is a simple statement of size. "They were colossal" implies not only size but also impressiveness, importance, or impact. "They were huge" is more commonly used in everyday language, while "they were colossal" is reserved for things of great significance.