they were heading out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were heading out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or a group of people who are leaving a place or going somewhere. Example: "As the sun began to set, they were heading out for a night of adventure in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They were heading out instead to the suburbs — the suburbs!

The New York Times

"When they were heading out, one of them just shouted defiantly, 'And now we're going for a curry' and they had just been singing these songs about the Taliban," Dan added.

Vice

(After dinner, they were heading out to dance at the all-night Electric Daisy Carnival rave, 23 courses be damned).

The New York Times - Food

The reason Bundy and other leaders were caught is they were heading out to meet with more than 100 supporters in the next county over.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lilly Allen: From Riches to Rags (C4) | 4oD Twenty Twelve (BBC4) | iPlayer Waking the Dead (BBC1) | iPlayer Outcasts (BBC1) | iPlayer Wonders of the Universe (BBC2) iPlayer If someone were to explain that they were heading out into a rainstorm to dry themselves or moving to Hong Kong to get back to nature, the chances are we'd think them raving mad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We caught the pair, who seem to come from vastly different milieus but who both once lived in nearby Santa Monica, as they were heading out of town, Gordon to Seattle for "some art fair," Smith to Washington, D.C., for the president's birthday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

While that term might make it sound like they were headed out on a much-deserved and lengthy vacation, the past year has been very busy for the women of 5H, as they've all kicked off solo careers.

Forbes

They are heading out as well because it's goalless between Portugal and Sweden.

BBC

Before they finish the record, though, they're headed out for a handful of concerts around the world, including a headlining performance here.

Los Angeles Times

For the epidemiologists, the discovery was as if a fog had lifted just long enough to see that they were headed out into uncharted, and uncomfortable, territory.

The New York Times

Increasingly, they're heading out of the studio and into public spaces.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were heading out", ensure the context clearly indicates the starting point or destination for better clarity. For instance, specify 'they were heading out to the suburbs' or 'they were heading out from the office'.

Common error

Avoid using "they were heading out" without providing context regarding where they are going or where they are leaving from. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion for the reader. Always provide enough information to clarify the direction or purpose of their departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were heading out" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action in progress. It describes a group of people in the process of leaving a location or starting a journey, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were heading out" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a group in the process of leaving or starting a journey. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While various alternatives exist, such as "they were leaving" or "they were departing", the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communications. When using "they were heading out", ensure clarity by providing sufficient context about their destination or point of departure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were departing

Uses a more formal synonym for 'leaving'.

they were leaving

A more direct and simple way of saying they were going.

they were setting off

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey or trip.

they were on their way

Focuses on the process of traveling towards a destination.

they were going away

Highlights the act of going to a different place, often implying distance.

they were moving out

Suggests a permanent or more significant departure.

they were exiting

Implies a more formal or structured departure from a specific area.

they were venturing out

Suggests going into an unknown or potentially risky situation.

they were hitting the road

An informal way of saying they were beginning a journey, usually by car.

they were embarking

Implies a formal or significant start to a journey or project.

FAQs

How can I use "they were heading out" in a sentence?

You can use "they were heading out" to describe a group of people leaving a place. For example, "After the meeting, "they were heading out" for lunch".

What are some alternatives to "they were heading out"?

Some alternatives include "they were leaving", "they were departing", or "they were setting off", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they was heading out"?

No, "they was heading out" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were heading out" because "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb 'to be', which is 'were'.

What's the difference between "they were heading out" and "they headed out"?

"They were heading out" implies an ongoing action or a process of leaving. "They headed out" suggests a completed action, meaning they already left. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action in progress or its completion.