they were grieving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were grieving" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone's emotional response to loss or mourning. An example: "After the funeral, they were grieving for their beloved friend." Alternative expressions include "they were mourning" and "they were in sorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

They were grieving.

The Guardian

They were grieving for him".

The New Yorker

"Their season died and they were grieving the loss".

The New York Times - Sports

Commenters said they were grieving "from the depths of [their] souls"; some admitted to "crying [their] eyes out".

Independent

The families of the victims issued statements through the Clackamas County sheriff's office saying they were grieving and would have no comment.

The New York Times

But he was critical of how some news organisations treated families of victims when they were grieving and "incapable of making rational, informed decisions".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And they were grieved because of the children of Israel...."...

The New Yorker

And they were grieved because of the children of Israel......

The New Yorker

They were grieved and gone and I could lose myself instead in her.

The New York Times

The reported effects of experiencing a stillbirth on mothers and families and ways of coping are summarised in Table 3. Mothers who had a stillbirth said they were grieved because 'every woman's happiness is giving birth'.

Global Health Action

Now they're grieving — and suing.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were grieving", ensure the context clearly indicates what they are grieving for to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the person, event, or loss that caused the grief.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "they were grieving" in a way that obscures who or what caused the grief. For instance, instead of "it was understood they were grieving", specify "they were grieving the loss of their home".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were grieving" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a state of emotional distress and mourning experienced by a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with its common usage in describing reactions to loss or tragedy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were grieving" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a group experiencing sorrow, especially after a loss. Ludwig AI validates this and highlights its presence across diverse media, including news and scientific sources. While versatile, clarity is key: specify what or whom "they" are grieving for. Alternatives like "they mourned" or "they were in mourning" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. Overall, this phrase effectively communicates a shared emotional state of mourning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they mourned

Uses a single word to convey the act of grieving, simplifying the phrase.

they were in mourning

Focuses on the state of mourning, highlighting the period of sadness.

they were sorrowing

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow experienced during grief.

they felt grief

Highlights the emotion of grief that they experienced.

they lamented

Indicates a strong expression of sorrow or regret.

they were in a state of grief

Expands on the state of grief, emphasizing its impact.

they were heartbroken

Focuses on the emotional pain experienced due to loss.

they were suffering

Highlights the suffering and pain associated with grief.

they were feeling the pain of loss

Directly states the pain of loss being experienced.

they experienced bereavement

Uses a more formal term for the state of having lost someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were grieving" to describe a group of people experiencing sadness and mourning after a loss. For example, "After the tragedy, "they were grieving" for the victims".

What's a more formal alternative to "they were grieving"?

A more formal alternative is "they were in mourning", which emphasizes the state of bereavement.

Is it correct to say "they grieved" instead of "they were grieving"?

Yes, "they mourned" is a correct and concise alternative. It directly expresses the act of grieving.

What's the difference between "they were grieving" and "they were sad"?

"They were grieving" implies a deeper and more profound sorrow, usually connected to a specific loss or event, while "they were sad" is a more general expression of unhappiness.