they were exceptional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were exceptional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe individuals or groups who stand out due to their outstanding qualities or performance. Example: "The students in the advanced program were exceptional, consistently achieving top scores in their exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They were exceptional women and remarkable role models.

The New York Times

In all, I heard half a dozen long numbers, and they were exceptional.

The New Yorker

The other pieces in the collection I found and selected because they were exceptional literature.

The New Yorker

Female tour managers such as Mouzakitis are few and far between even now, but in the 90s they were exceptional.

The Guardian - Music

If an "ordinary person" from a reality TV show became famous - often through a magazine such as Heat - it was their ordinariness that was to be emphasised, not the fact that they were exceptional.

The Guardian - Opinion

The last time such values prevailed on Earth was in the Pliocene epoch, 4m years ago, when jungles covered northern Canada.There have already been a few readings above 400ppm elsewhere those taken over the Arctic Ocean in May 2012, for example—but they were exceptional.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

One thing has always stuck in my mind about 'the Greatest Generation'--and I do believe they were exceptional--where are all the women at?

Huffington Post

(There are exceptions, of course, but by definition, they're exceptional).

TechCrunch

Individually, except for a player or two, they're O.K. Integrated, they are exceptional.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are exceptional!

The New York Times

They're exceptional talents".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure that "they were exceptional" accurately reflects the level of praise you intend to communicate.

Common error

Avoid using "they were exceptional" to describe something that is merely adequate or average; reserve it for truly outstanding cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were exceptional" functions as a descriptive expression, attributing a high degree of merit or quality to a subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were exceptional" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey strong admiration or recognition of outstanding qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various professional and informal settings. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives such as "they were outstanding" or "they were remarkable". Ensure the context aligns with the high praise the phrase conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were outstanding

Replaces "exceptional" with a more common synonym, focusing on superior quality.

they were remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and impressiveness of their qualities.

they were extraordinary

Suggests that their qualities went beyond the ordinary, to something amazing.

they were impressive

Highlights the ability to evoke admiration and respect.

they were superb

Indicates an extremely high quality of performance or attributes.

they were first-rate

Emphasizes the high quality of their characteristics.

they were unparalleled

Implies that their qualities were unmatched and unique.

they were peerless

Conveys the idea that their qualities have no equal.

they were matchless

Similar to peerless, emphasizing the lack of comparable qualities.

they were beyond compare

Highlights that the qualities are so good, they cannot be compared to anything else.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were exceptional" to describe individuals or groups who demonstrated outstanding qualities or performance. For example, "The athletes' performance at the Olympics /s/they+were+exceptional/".

What are some alternatives to "they were exceptional"?

Alternatives include "they were outstanding", "they were remarkable", or "they were extraordinary", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they was exceptional"?

No, "they was exceptional" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were exceptional", as "were" is the past tense plural form of the verb "to be".

What is the difference between "they were exceptional" and "it was exceptional"?

"They were exceptional" refers to multiple people or things, while "it was exceptional" refers to a single entity. The choice depends on whether you are describing a group or an individual.