they were even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two parties have reached a state of equality or balance, often in terms of fairness or reciprocity. Example: "After settling the score, they were even, and both felt a sense of relief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

they were even established.

Yale University

Actually, they were even worse.

The New York Times - Books

"They were even anti-Irish," Albee says.

The New Yorker

They were even bigger in New Orleans".

The New York Times

Sometimes they were even well mannered.

The New York Times

They were even interested in Jerry Lewis.

The New Yorker

They were even speaking patois!

The Guardian - Music

They were even more livid.

The Guardian - Sport

They were even there on Christmas Eve.

The New York Times

Last week, they were even brighter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

At times, they were even..

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were even" to emphasize a surprising or unexpected development. It adds a layer of unexpectedness or intensification to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "they were even" when you simply want to state an additional fact without implying surprise or intensification. Using "they were also" or "they also" might be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were even" functions as a declarative statement indicating a state of equality, intensification, or unexpected circumstance. As Ludwig AI explains, it often adds emphasis or surprise to the situation being described. The examples show it used to amplify descriptions across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were even" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys equality, intensification, or surprise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and can be found across numerous contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase functions as a declarative statement, often used to emphasize a point or highlight an unexpected development. While it's generally appropriate for neutral registers, users should be mindful of using it where a simpler statement of fact would suffice. By understanding its nuances, writers can effectively leverage "they were even" to enhance their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were even more

Signifies a greater degree or intensity than previously implied.

they were equally

Directly conveys the idea of equality in a specific attribute or aspect.

they were on par

Focuses specifically on the idea of being equal or equivalent.

they actually were

Emphasizes the reality of a situation, possibly contrasting with expectations.

they were also

Indicates addition without necessarily implying equality or surprise.

they were in fact

Highlights a factual aspect, often with a sense of clarification or correction.

they were indeed

Emphasizes the truth or certainty of a statement, rather than equality.

they turned out to be

Focuses on the outcome or revealed truth, not necessarily equality.

they proved to be

Highlights the resulting state, but does not necessarily mean equality.

they were so

Indicates a degree or extent, without emphasizing equality.

FAQs

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

Use "they were even" to indicate something surprising or unexpected. For example, "The lines were long, but "they were even" longer than expected."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were also", "they were indeed", or "they were equally" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were even" or "they was even"?

"They were even" is correct because "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were".

What's the difference between "they were even" and "they are even"?

"They were even" indicates something that happened in the past, while "they are even" refers to a present state. For example, "After the game, they were even" (past) versus "Currently, they are even in the standings" (present).