they were fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were fine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's well-being or state in a casual or informal context. Example: "After the long journey, I asked how they were doing, and they assured me they were fine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They were fine.

The New York Times

And they were fine.

The New York Times

"They were fine," she said.

The Washington Post

The banks insisted they were fine.

The New York Times

"They were fine young men," Auchincloss says.

The New Yorker

But they were fine with it.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They were fined nearly $15,000 each.

The New York Times

They were fined £5 each.

BBC

They were fined $310 million each.

Los Angeles Times

They were fined a total of $35,000.

Los Angeles Times

They are fine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were fine" when you want to assure someone that a group or multiple entities are in an acceptable condition or state of well-being after an event or situation.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific group of people or things mentioned earlier in the context to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were fine" functions as a declarative statement expressing the well-being or acceptable condition of a group. Ludwig provides many examples where the phrase is used to reassure or inform about the state of individuals or things. The function is clear and direct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were fine" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a group of people or things are in an acceptable condition. It is observed that the phrase has a neutral register, and it can be used in a wide range of contexts, from informal conversation to professional communication. Ludwig provides a wealth of examples primarily from news and media sources, supporting the conclusion that it's a versatile and clear way to convey a sense of well-being or satisfactory status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were all right

Offers a slightly less formal way of saying they were okay.

they were okay

A common and simple way to express that they were not harmed or negatively affected.

they felt well

Focuses on their physical or emotional state of well-being.

they were doing well

Indicates progress or success in their activities or health.

they were doing okay

Similar to "they were okay", but may imply a slightly lower level of well-being.

they were in good shape

Highlights their physical condition or state of readiness.

they were unharmed

Emphasizes the absence of injury or damage.

they were in satisfactory condition

A more formal way to state that their condition met expectations.

their condition was acceptable

Focuses on their state being within acceptable limits or standards.

they experienced no issues

Highlights that no problems or difficulties arose for them.

FAQs

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

Use "they were fine" to indicate that a group of people or things were in good condition or acceptable state after an event. For example, "After the storm, we checked on the neighbors and "they were fine"."

What's a less formal alternative to "they were fine"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "they were okay" or "they were all right", which convey a similar meaning in a more casual tone.

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

While "they were fine" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "they were unharmed" or "their condition was acceptable" might be more suitable for formal writing, depending on the context.

What does "they were fine" imply about a situation?

"They were fine" implies that whatever potential issues or dangers were present, the subjects in question emerged without significant negative consequences. It suggests a satisfactory outcome or a lack of adverse effects.