they were having

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were having" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action that was happening at a certain point in the past. For example, "Yesterday, they were having dinner when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They were having debates".

The New York Times

They were having it.

The New York Times - Arts

Well, they were having fun.

The New York Times

"They were having fun.

The New York Times - Books

They were having breakfast.

The New Yorker

They were having problems.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They're having one.

The New York Times

They are having everything.

Independent

They're having such fun!

Independent

They are having light lunches.

The New Yorker

They're having a party".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were having" to describe an ongoing situation or activity in the past, providing context and a sense of duration to the event. For example, "They were having a serious discussion about the company's future when I walked in."

Common error

Avoid confusing "they were" with the homophones "they're" (they are), "there" (a place), or "their" (possessive). "They were" indicates a past action, while the others have different meanings and grammatical functions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were having" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the past. It typically precedes a noun phrase that specifies what the subject was experiencing or doing. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were having" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions or experiences in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you are accurately conveying a continuous past action and avoid confusion with homophones like "they're", "there", or "their". By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "they were having" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they experienced

Replaces the continuous action with a simple past tense, focusing on the completed experience.

they encountered

Emphasizes the accidental or unexpected nature of the experience.

they were in the midst of

Emphasizes that they were actively involved or occupied with something.

they were undergoing

Focuses on a process or experience that they were subject to.

they participated in

Focuses on active involvement in an event or activity.

they possessed

Indicates ownership or a temporary state of being, shifting from an action to a state.

they enjoyed

Highlights the positive aspect of the experience.

they celebrated

Highlights a specific instance of joyful activity or commemoration.

they hosted

Indicates that they were the organizers or providers of an event.

they were the recipients of

Focuses on them receiving something, shifting the emphasis from action to outcome.

FAQs

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

"They were having" is used to describe an ongoing action in the past. For example, "They were having dinner when the guests arrived" or "they were having fun at the party".

What phrases are similar to "they were having"?

Similar phrases include "they experienced", "they encountered", or "they were undergoing", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "they was having" grammatically correct?

No, "they was having" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were having", as "were" is the past tense form of "to be" that agrees with the plural pronoun "they".

What's the difference between "they were having" and "they had"?

"They were having" indicates an ongoing action or experience in the past, while "they had" suggests a completed action or possession. For example, "They were having a meeting" implies the meeting was in progress, whereas "they had a meeting" suggests the meeting is over.