they were comfortable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were comfortable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of ease or relaxation experienced by individuals in various contexts, such as physical comfort or emotional well-being. Example: "After a long day of hiking, they were comfortable sitting by the fire, enjoying each other's company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were comfortable.

The Guardian - Sport

They were comfortable with each other.

The New York Times

They were comfortable, cotton and real soft.

The Guardian

Could we reasonably conclude that, on average, they were comfortable?

The New York Times

They were comfortable, then they were really uncomfortable".

Independent

They were comfortable victories against girls I hadn't boxed before.

The Guardian - Sport

They were comfortable with their own subjective judgment".

The New York Times

But they were comfortable citing his supposed religion.

The New York Times

They were comfortable and scored an amazing goal.

The Guardian - Sport

The Garnett family wasn't rich before the storm, but they were comfortable.

The Washington Post

They were comfortable with each other, but they weren't too comfortable".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group's emotional state, ensure the context clarifies what they are comfortable with or about. For example, "They were comfortable with the proposed changes."

Common error

Avoid using "they were comfortable" without specifying what they were comfortable with. This can lead to confusion. Always provide context to clarify the subject of their comfort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were comfortable" serves as a descriptive statement. It typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a group of people or entities referred to by "they". As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were comfortable" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of ease, acceptance, or satisfaction among a group. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of various sources reveals its frequent occurrence in News & Media and Scientific contexts, highlighting its versatility. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's crucial to provide context clarifying what the group was comfortable with, preventing ambiguity. Related phrases like "they felt at ease" and "they were relaxed" offer semantically similar alternatives for varied writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they felt at ease

Replaces "comfortable" with "at ease", focusing on a feeling of relaxation and lack of worry.

they were relaxed

Substitutes "comfortable" with "relaxed", emphasizing a state of calmness and freedom from tension.

they were content

Uses "content" instead of "comfortable", suggesting a state of satisfaction and happiness.

they felt good

Replaces "comfortable" with "good", providing a more general expression of well-being.

they were happy with it

Expresses satisfaction or pleasure with a particular situation or arrangement.

they were fine with it

Uses "fine with it" to convey acceptance or lack of concern.

they were okay with that

Similar to "fine with it", but with a slightly more casual tone.

they were in agreement

Focuses on the state of being in accord or unison with something or someone.

they were agreeable

Shifts the meaning towards agreement or willingness, rather than physical comfort.

they had no objections

Indicates a lack of opposition, implying acceptance or agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were comfortable" to describe a group's physical state (e.g., "They were comfortable in the new chairs") or emotional state (e.g., "They were comfortable discussing their feelings").

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

You can use alternatives like "they felt at ease", "they were relaxed", or "they were content" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "they was comfortable"?

No, "they was comfortable" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were comfortable" because "they" is a plural pronoun that requires the plural verb "were".

What does it mean when someone says "they were comfortable with the decision"?

It means that the group felt at ease with the choice or resolution made. They likely understood and accepted the decision without significant reservations.