they were good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something positively, often referring to people, performances, or experiences in a general sense. Example: "The reviews for the movie were overwhelmingly positive; they were good, and the audience loved it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were good ideas.

The New Yorker

"They were good men".

The New York Times

They were good.

The New Yorker

"They were good people.

The New York Times

They were good friends.

The New Yorker

They were good tears.

The New Yorker

They were good choices.

The New York Times

Also they were good.

The New Yorker

So they were good teachers.

University of California, Berkeley

They were good women.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They're good guys.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were good" to express general approval or satisfaction with a group of people, their performance, or an experience. It's versatile and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

While "they were good" is acceptable in many contexts, consider using more precise or sophisticated language in formal writing to convey a stronger or more nuanced meaning. Alternatives like "they were excellent" or "they were proficient" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "they were good" is to express approval, satisfaction, or positive assessment about a group of people, objects, or experiences. It serves as a predicate adjective describing the subject 'they'. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were good" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a positive assessment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's versatile and applicable across various contexts, though perhaps less suited for highly formal writing where more precise language might be preferred. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a neutral register. Consider enriching your vocabulary with alternatives like "they were excellent" or "they were great" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were great

A more informal way of expressing high approval.

they were excellent

Emphasizes superior quality or performance.

they were superb

Highlights an exceptional level of skill or quality.

they were first-rate

Implies top-notch quality or performance.

they were proficient

Highlights their expertise and efficiency.

they excelled

Focuses specifically on high achievement or performance.

they were competent

Suggests they had the necessary skills or abilities.

they were satisfactory

Indicates that they met the required standards or expectations.

they were up to par

Means they met the expected level or standard.

they were skillful

Focuses on their ability or expertise.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "they were excellent", "they were great", or "they were satisfactory" depending on the context.

Is "they was good" grammatically correct?

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

How do I use "they were good" in a sentence?

Use "they were good" to describe something positively, often referring to people, performances, or experiences. For example, "The reviews for the movie were overwhelmingly positive; "they were good", and the audience loved it".

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

"They were good" refers to multiple subjects, while "it was good" refers to a single subject. For example, "The apples were delicious; "they were good"", versus "The apple pie was delicious; it was good".