they were excellent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were excellent" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express approval of someone or something. For example, "The employees at this store were excellent; they were very helpful and knowledgeable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General statements

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were excellent.

The New Yorker

And they were excellent.

The Guardian - Music

They were excellent at it.

The New York Times

And they were excellent partners here.

The New York Times - Arts

When the rolls arrived, they were excellent.

The New York Times

They were excellent against Wales last week.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were excellent," Ms. Keegan said.

The New York Times

They were excellent and set the game up for us.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were excellent tonight," Pacers Coach Larry Bird said.

The New York Times - Sports

Because it was a good movie, and the actors they had in it, they were excellent.

The New York Times

She did go on to say that they were excellent members of her team though.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were excellent" to convey strong approval or satisfaction with something or someone's performance, quality, or characteristics. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While the phrase is useful, avoid using "they were excellent" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "they were outstanding" or "they were superb" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were excellent" functions as a declarative statement expressing a positive evaluation. It typically follows a subject (often a group of people or things) and indicates that the subject possesses a high degree of quality or skill. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Sport

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were excellent" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for conveying strong approval or satisfaction. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples demonstrates its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and sports reporting. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider employing synonyms like "they were magnificent" or "they were outstanding" for greater impact. The frequency of its occurrence, as indicated by Ludwig, further underscores its relevance and common usage in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were magnificent

Replaces "excellent" with a stronger term, suggesting greater impressiveness.

they were outstanding

Substitutes "excellent" with a word emphasizing exceptional quality or performance.

they were superb

Replaces "excellent" with a term suggesting the highest quality or skill.

they were remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthy or exceptional nature of their quality.

they were fantastic

Uses a more enthusiastic and informal term to convey approval.

they were wonderful

A synonym expressing delight and admiration.

they were first-rate

An idiomatic expression meaning of the highest quality.

they were top-notch

An informal expression indicating superior quality.

they were exceptional

Highlights the rarity and superiority of their quality.

they were the best

A simple, direct way to express high praise.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were excellent" to express your approval or satisfaction. For example, "The actors in the play were excellent," or "The solutions they provided were excellent."

What are some alternatives to "they were excellent"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "they were magnificent", "they were outstanding", or "they were superb" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it appropriate to use "they were excellent" in formal writing?

Yes, "they were excellent" is appropriate in formal writing, although you might consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "they were exceptional" or "they were remarkable" to add nuance to your writing.

Can I use "they were excellent" when talking about inanimate objects?

Yes, you can use "they were excellent" to describe the quality of inanimate objects. For example, "The tools they provided were excellent" or "The conditions to work in were excellent."