they were immense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were immense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very large or significant in size, impact, or importance. Example: "The mountains in the distance were immense, towering over the landscape like ancient giants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They were immense.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were immense today.

BBC

Credit to all the players, they were immense today.

BBC

"I thought they were immense in terms of their desire to not lose a football match.

BBC

A strange wind whipped the white cloth and carried the sheets toward the mountains as if they were immense doves.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They're immense fun as a game, but there's also something more serious going on".

The New York Times - Magazine

Those are the traditional advantages of laptops, and they're immense.

The New York Times - Tech

They are immense when at full strength and, although they specialise in playing at their Stade Aguilera home, they will have been fortified by the win at this stage last year by Perpignan.

The Guardian - Sport

They are immense to work with.

BBC

While Tony's scientific accomplishments were immense, they cannot explain why so many of us will miss him so keenly.

BMC Biology

The spoils were immense.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were immense" when you want to convey that a group's contribution, size, or impact was notably large or significant. Ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were immense" if the antecedent of "they" is ambiguous or unclear. Always ensure the reader knows exactly who or what you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were immense" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing a quality of exceptional size, impact, or significance to a plural subject. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is often used to commend a team or group's performance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were immense" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey that a group's contribution, size, or impact was notably large or significant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, especially in news and media. It's important to ensure the referent of "they" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "they were enormous" or "they were gigantic" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were enormous

Replaces "immense" with a direct synonym emphasizing size.

they were gigantic

Similar to "enormous", but suggests an even greater size or scale.

they were tremendous

Emphasizes the magnitude of their impact or quality.

they were outstanding

Focuses on their exceptional performance or quality.

they were remarkable

Highlights how noteworthy or extraordinary they were.

they were exceptional

Stresses their superiority or uncommon excellence.

they were extraordinary

Similar to "remarkable", but with a stronger emphasis on being beyond the ordinary.

they were magnificent

Implies grandeur and splendor in their actions or qualities.

their contribution was huge

Shifts the focus to the impact of their contribution rather than their inherent qualities.

they made a massive impact

Emphasizes the significant effect they had.

FAQs

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

Use "they were immense" to emphasize the significant size, impact, or contribution of a group or entity. For example, "The challenges they overcame were immense."

What are some alternatives to "they were immense"?

You can use alternatives like "they were enormous", "they were gigantic", or "they were tremendous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they was immense"?

No, "they was immense" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were immense", as "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be".

What's the difference between "they were immense" and "it was immense"?

"They were immense" refers to a plural subject, while "it was immense" refers to a singular subject. Use "they" for groups or multiple entities and "it" for a single entity or concept.