they were divorced

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'They were divorced' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when you are discussing the marital status of two people. For example, "John and Jane had been married for many years, but eventually they were divorced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Now they were divorced.

The New Yorker

They were divorced in 1946.

The New York Times - Food

They were divorced in 1979.

The New York Times

They were divorced in the 1970s.

The New York Times

They were divorced not long afterward.

The New York Times - Arts

Four years later, they were divorced.

The New York Times - Sports

Several years later they were divorced.

The New Yorker

They were divorced three years later.

The New York Times - Arts

(They were divorced in the mid-1970s).

The New York Times - Arts

They were divorced the next year.

The New York Times

They were divorced within two years.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider adding context with details of the period, like "They were divorced shortly after the war ended."

Common error

Avoid overly vague euphemisms for divorce. While phrases like "they parted ways" might soften the blow, they can obscure the reality of the situation and should be used cautiously depending on the context and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were divorced" functions as a declarative statement indicating the legal dissolution of a marriage. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase clearly conveys a specific legal and personal status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were divorced" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate the legal dissolution of a marriage. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When using the phrase, it's important to maintain a respectful tone and consider the sensitivity of the topic. Alternatives like "their marriage ended" or "they separated" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. The usage analysis shows high consistency, and the many examples illustrate real-world applications of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their marriage ended

Uses a different verb and structure to indicate the termination of the marriage.

the marriage dissolved

Employs a more formal verb to convey the end of the marriage.

their relationship ended legally

Adds specificity regarding the legal aspect of the separation.

a divorce was finalized

Highlights the completion of the divorce process.

they separated and divorced

Specifies both separation and divorce as distinct steps.

they obtained a divorce

Focuses on the act of getting the divorce decree.

they went their separate ways

Offers a more metaphorical and less formal way of describing the divorce.

they parted ways legally

Combines the idea of separation with the legal aspect of divorce.

the divorce went through

Emphasizes the completion and validity of the divorce.

they legally separated

Focuses exclusively on the legal separation aspect.

FAQs

What is the difference between "they separated" and "they were divorced"?

"They separated" indicates that the couple is living apart, while "they were divorced" means their marriage has been legally terminated.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "their marriage ended", "they separated", or "they parted ways".

Is it appropriate to ask why "they were divorced"?

Asking why someone divorced is generally considered impolite unless you have a close relationship with the person and they are comfortable sharing that information.

How to use "they were divorced" in a sentence?

You can use "they were divorced" to state the fact that a couple's marriage has ended legally. For example, "After many years of marriage, they were divorced last year".