they were grateful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were grateful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express appreciation or thankfulness towards someone or something in a past context. Example: "After receiving the unexpected help, they were grateful for the support they had received."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now they were grateful.

The New York Times - Sports

They were grateful, but not that grateful.

Independent

Pastor Dorcelly said they were grateful.

The New York Times

They were grateful that it wasn't raining.

The New York Times

They were grateful, but stunned, and numb.

The New York Times

They were grateful to be there.

The Guardian

They were grateful not to be forgotten.

The New York Times

They were grateful to have them back.

The Guardian - Books

Yet in some ways they were grateful.

The New York Times

The couple said they were grateful for what they have.

The New York Times

Villagers said they were grateful for the officials' persistence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were grateful", ensure that the context clearly indicates what they are grateful for. Specifying the reason enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid vague statements where it's unclear to whom or for what "they were grateful". Always provide sufficient context to specify the object and recipient of the gratitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were grateful" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation experienced by a group of people in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were grateful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey past thankfulness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, with a particularly strong presence in news and media. For clarity, it's best to specify what exactly "they" are thankful for. While alternatives like "they were appreciative" or "they expressed gratitude" exist, the original phrase remains a straightforward and effective way to communicate appreciation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were thankful

Synonymous replacement for 'grateful', providing a slightly different nuance.

they were appreciative

A direct synonym replacement, maintaining a similar level of formality.

they were filled with gratitude

Emphasizes the strong emotion of gratitude they experienced.

they felt thankful

Focuses on the internal feeling of gratitude rather than the outward expression.

they expressed their gratitude

This alternative uses a more formal tone by explicitly stating the act of expressing gratitude.

they showed their appreciation

Replaces "grateful" with "appreciation", focusing on the demonstration of thankfulness.

they were indebted

Implies a sense of obligation, suggesting a debt of gratitude.

they valued the gesture

Highlights the worth they placed on the action or kindness shown.

they acknowledged their indebtedness

Highlights the sense of obligation felt due to the help or kindness received.

they held it in high regard

Emphasizes the respect and esteem with which they viewed the act or person.

FAQs

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

Use "they were grateful" to express that a group of people felt thankful for something. For example, "After the community's generous donation, "they were grateful" for the support".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were thankful", "they were appreciative", or "they expressed their gratitude" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was grateful"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "they were grateful" because "they" is a plural pronoun, requiring the plural form of the verb "to be".

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

"They were grateful" indicates that the feeling of gratitude occurred in the past. "They are grateful" indicates that they currently feel thankful.