they were hungry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were hungry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of hunger experienced by a group of people in various contexts, such as storytelling or reporting. Example: "After a long day of hiking, they were hungry and eager to find a place to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And they were hungry.

The New York Times

Now they were hungry.

The Guardian

They were hungry and desperate.

The New York Times

They were hungry for further antics.

The New Yorker

JD told her they were hungry.

The New Yorker

They were hungry, they were better.

The New York Times - Sports

The Chinese said they were hungry.

The New York Times

Above all, they were hungry for tips.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They were hungrier, and they were more determined".

The New York Times - Sports

They are hungry for change.

The New Yorker

They are hungry too".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they were hungry", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "the refugees were hungry" instead of relying on prior context alone.

Common error

Avoid using "they were hungry" in purely metaphorical contexts without establishing a clear connection to the literal meaning of hunger. Ensure the figurative usage still evokes a sense of need or deprivation that resonates with the concept of hunger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were hungry" primarily functions as a statement of condition, indicating that a group of individuals experienced hunger. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it's used to describe literal states of hunger, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were hungry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a state of hunger, according to Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While primarily used in a literal sense to describe the physical need for food, it can also be employed metaphorically to express a strong desire or longing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in defining who "they" refers to and consider the context to determine the appropriate level of formality. Be mindful of the potential for misinterpreting figurative usage. Given its consistent usage and clear meaning, "they were hungry" remains a versatile and effective phrase in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were famished

Replaces "hungry" with a stronger, more emphatic term.

they were ravenous

Similar to "famished" but implies an even greater level of hunger, almost wild.

they felt peckish

Replaces "hungry" with a more informal term suggesting a slight hunger.

they hadn't eaten

Focuses on the lack of food consumption as the reason for their condition.

they craved nourishment

Emphasizes the strong desire for food, implying a deeper need.

they were underfed

Indicates a state of chronic hunger or insufficient feeding.

they needed sustenance

Replaces "hungry" with a more formal expression indicating the need for nourishment.

they were longing for food

Highlights the emotional aspect of wanting food, implying a strong craving.

they desired a meal

A more polite and formal way of saying they wanted to eat.

they hungered for

A more figurative usage, implying a strong desire for something beyond just food.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were hungry" to describe a group of people or animals experiencing the need for food. For instance, "After the long journey, they were hungry and exhausted".

What is a more formal way to say "they were hungry"?

More formal alternatives include "they were famished" or "they needed sustenance", which convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "they was hungry" instead of "they were hungry"?

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

Can "they were hungry" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "they were hungry" can be used metaphorically to describe a strong desire or longing for something, such as knowledge or success. However, ensure the context makes this figurative meaning clear. For example, "they were hungry for knowledge".