they were indeed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were indeed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a statement or confirm a fact, often in response to a previous assertion or question. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that they were indeed the best candidates for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were indeed monarchs.

The New York Times - Books

They were indeed pleasant.

The New York Times

They were indeed accessories.

The Guardian - Music

They were indeed.

The New York Times - Sports

They were indeed carried out.

The New York Times

They were indeed kindred souls.

The New York Times

They were indeed smaller than expected.

The Economist

"They were indeed feeding on people," she said.

The New Yorker

Whatever it was, it meant they were indeed near civilization.

The New Yorker

"They were indeed beautifully produced," Mr. Ramage said.

The New York Times

They were indeed grass, if not exactly Centre Court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were indeed" to add emphasis or confirm a statement, especially when responding to a prior assertion or question. This reinforces the validity or truth of what you are saying.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "they were indeed" in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday contexts. Opt for more natural alternatives like "they really were" or "they sure were" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were indeed" functions as an emphatic affirmation. It confirms or reinforces a statement previously made or implied. As Ludwig AI shows, the examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to assert the truth or validity of a claim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were indeed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression employed to provide emphasis and confirmation. As shown by Ludwig, its function spans various registers, though it is most common in neutral to slightly formal contexts such as news and media, as well as scientific writing. While versatile, it's advisable to be mindful of the setting, avoiding overuse in very informal conversations to maintain a natural tone. The alternatives offered, like "they truly were" or "they certainly were", can provide similar emphasis with subtle variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they truly were

Replaces "indeed" with "truly" to emphasize the truth of the statement.

they certainly were

Substitutes "indeed" with "certainly" to indicate a strong affirmation.

they definitely were

Uses "definitely" to replace "indeed" indicating a firm and clear confirmation.

they were undeniably

Replaces "indeed" with "undeniably" to assert that something cannot be disputed.

they actually were

Uses "actually" instead of "indeed" to highlight that something is surprisingly true.

they really were

Replaces "indeed" with "really" to express the genuineness of a state or condition.

they were, in fact

Uses the phrase "in fact" as a substitute for "indeed" to introduce a factual confirmation.

it was indeed them

Shifts the sentence structure slightly to emphasize the identity of "them".

they did turn out to be

Adds emphasis using "did" and rephrases the sentence to highlight the eventual outcome.

they proved to be

Employs a different verb structure to convey the idea that they ultimately turned out to be something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they were indeed"?

You can use alternatives like "they truly were", "they certainly were", or "they really were" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "they were indeed" or "they truly were"?

Both "they were indeed" and "they truly were" are grammatically correct and emphasize the truth of a statement. The choice depends on the desired tone; "they were indeed" can sound slightly more formal.

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

Use "they were indeed" to confirm or emphasize a previous statement. For example, "We suspected they were involved, and after the investigation, it was clear that they were indeed the culprits."

What's the difference between "they were indeed" and "they were actually"?

"They were indeed" confirms something as expected or previously stated. "They were actually" suggests something is true, often surprisingly or unexpectedly.