they were easy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were easy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was simple or not difficult in the past. Example: "The questions on the test were easy, and I finished it in no time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They were easy villains.

The Economist

They were easy targets.

The New Yorker

They were easy to find.

The New Yorker

"They were easy arrests," he said.

The New York Times

They were easy to send offsite.

Princeton University

Which doesn't mean they were easy.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Very complex securities shouldn't have been rated as if they were easy-to-value bonds".

The New York Times

They were easier.

Huffington Post

They're easy targets".

The New York Times

They're easy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"They're easy to handle.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past events or situations, use "they were easy" to convey simplicity or lack of difficulty. For example, "The instructions were clear, so the assembly process was easy."

Common error

Avoid using "they were easy" in contexts where a more nuanced descriptor is needed. For instance, if something was not only easy but also unexpectedly quick, consider "they were surprisingly efficient" to provide a more accurate depiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were easy" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something was not difficult or presented little challenge in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

16%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were easy" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that presented little difficulty in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It’s versatile, fitting into neutral registers and various contexts like news, academia, and general conversation. When writing, be mindful of the context, and if a more nuanced description is needed, consider alternatives like "they were simple" or "they were straightforward". Remember that "they were easy" refers to multiple items or situations, as opposed to "it was easy", which refers to a single item.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were simple

Replaces "easy" with a more basic synonym, focusing on the straightforward nature.

they were no problem

Indicates that they did not cause any issues or difficulties, implying ease.

they were effortless

Focuses on the lack of effort required, emphasizing the ease from a different angle.

they posed no difficulty

Emphasizes the absence of difficulty, shifting the focus from ease to the lack of challenge.

they required minimal effort

Specifically points out the small amount of effort necessary, making it clear that it was easy.

they presented no challenge

Highlights the lack of challenge, similar to "posed no difficulty", but with a slightly different connotation.

they were straightforward

Focuses on the uncomplicated nature of the subject, implying ease of understanding or execution.

they were undemanding

Highlights the lack of demands or requirements, implying ease due to simplicity.

they were a breeze

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme ease or simplicity.

they were facile

Implies superficiality, which can mean easy because something lacks depth or complexity. Careful with the context because it can also be negative.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "they were simple", "they were straightforward", or "they were effortless" depending on the context.

Is "they was easy" grammatically correct?

No, "they was easy" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were easy", as "were" is the plural past tense form of the verb "to be" and should be used with the plural pronoun "they".

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

You can use "they were easy" to describe tasks, tests, or situations that presented little difficulty. For example, "The instructions were clear, so they were easy to follow" or "The questions on the exam weren't hard, so they were easy to answer".

What's the difference between "they were easy" and "it was easy"?

"They were easy" refers to multiple items or aspects that were not difficult, while "it was easy" refers to a single item or situation that was not difficult. For example, "The questions were easy" versus "The first question was easy".