they were impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were impressive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that left a strong positive impact or admiration. Example: "The performances at the concert were outstanding; they were impressive and truly memorable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

They were impressive.

The New York Times

They were impressive; she was throwing some mean shapes.

The Guardian - Music

They were flawed and they were impressive, and to me they both looked like winners.

The New Yorker

They were impressive, finer-points plays indicative of Rodriguez's baseball I.Q.

The New York Times - Sports

Scattered parts of the performance were as engaging as they were impressive.

The New York Times - Arts

If the concerts were not quite dazzling, they were impressive over all and quite interesting.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

They're impressive in person".

The New York Times

They're impressive".

The Guardian - Business

And they are impressive.

The New York Times - Sports

And yes, they're impressive and staggering.

The New York Times - Arts

Visually, they are impressive machines".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were impressive" to convey genuine admiration or respect for someone or something. Ensure the context makes it clear what "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were impressive" without clearly establishing who or what "they" refers to in the preceding sentences. Ensure the reference is unambiguous to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were impressive" functions as a subject complement, where "they" is the subject and "were impressive" describes or identifies the subject's qualities. This serves to express admiration or acknowledgment of a notable quality, as shown by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sport

20%

Arts

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were impressive" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to convey admiration or acknowledge notable qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, sports, and arts. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, its impact relies on clear reference to the subject. For alternative expressions, consider options like "they were remarkable" or "they made a strong impression", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were outstanding

Indicates exceptional performance or quality.

they were remarkable

Highlights an unusual or extraordinary quality.

they made a strong impression

Emphasizes the impact on someone's perception.

they were striking

Focuses on the visually impressive or attention-grabbing aspect.

they were exceptionally good

A more descriptive way of expressing high quality or performance.

they stood out

Focuses on prominence or distinction from others.

they left a lasting impression

Emphasizes the long-term impact of their performance or qualities.

they excelled

Highlights superior skill or performance.

they shone

Suggests brilliance or exceptional quality.

they were formidable

Emphasizes strength, power, or skill that inspires respect or fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were impressive" to describe someone's skills, a performance, or any entity that evoked admiration. For example, "The dancers' technique was flawless; "they were impressive"".

What's a good alternative to "they were impressive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "they were remarkable", "they were outstanding", or "they made a strong impression".

Is it okay to use "they were impressive" in formal writing?

Yes, "they were impressive" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, ensure your tone and word choice match the overall formality of the piece.

Can "they were impressive" be used to describe inanimate objects?

Yes, "they were impressive" can be used to describe inanimate objects if those objects evoke admiration. For example, "The architecture of the buildings was stunning; "they were impressive"".