they were early

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were early" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where individuals arrived before the expected time. Example: "They were early to the meeting, which allowed them to prepare and discuss their ideas beforehand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

But they were early.

The New York Times

They were early.

The New York Times - Sports

They were early adopters of a new approach to stretching.

The New York Times - Sports

(After all, they were early adopters of the site itself).

The New York Times

They were early to call for change in Egypt.

The Economist

Pettitte said: "We've got to get guys hot like they were early.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

They were early-generation movie-colony celebrities, with the first private swimming pool in Los Angeles.

The New Yorker

At the time of application, they were early-stage founders — just like you.

TechCrunch

Most respondents were interested in developing research skills, particularly if they were early-career researchers.

BMC Family Practice

They were early-stage patients with a low chance of axillary and ARM node involvement.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Tubers were harvested in September and October 2011, according to whether they were early-, mid- or late-maturing varieties and to when canopy senescence was complete.

Food Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were early" to emphasize being ahead of schedule or among the first to adopt a trend or technology. This can highlight preparedness or innovation.

Common error

Avoid using "they were early" when you simply mean "they were young" or "they lived a long time ago". The phrase specifically relates to timing, not age or historical period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were early" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a group of individuals were ahead of schedule or among the first to adopt something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were early" is a versatile expression used to indicate that a group of people arrived before the expected time or were among the first to adopt a new trend or technology. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific publications. Its function is primarily descriptive, serving to highlight preparedness, innovation, or foresight. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, underscores its reliability and broad applicability. Understanding its contextual nuances is key to leveraging its full potential in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were early adopters

Specifically refers to being among the first to use a new technology or product.

they arrived ahead of schedule

Focuses on arriving before the designated time.

they were ahead of time

Similar to arriving early, but emphasizes being prepared in advance.

they were prompt

Emphasizes their punctuality and readiness.

they pioneered

Highlights the aspect of being the first to do or develop something.

they were innovators

Emphasizes their role as creators or introducers of new methods or ideas.

they were forerunners

Implies they preceded others in a particular activity or field.

they were the first

Directly states they were the initial ones to act.

they initiated

Highlights the act of starting or setting something in motion.

they anticipated

Focuses on foreseeing something and acting in advance.

FAQs

What does "they were early" mean?

The phrase "they were early" typically means that a group of people arrived before the expected time or were among the first to adopt a particular idea, technology, or trend.

What's a good alternative to "they were early" when talking about adoption of new technologies?

Consider using "they were early adopters" to specifically highlight that they were among the first to embrace a new technology or innovation.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they were early"?

Yes, "they were early" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone or something was ahead of schedule or among the first.

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

You can use "they were early" to describe scenarios where people arrived before the designated time, like "they were early for the meeting", or to indicate early adoption, such as "they were early investors".