they were large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were large" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the size of objects, animals, or people in a general context. Example: "The elephants at the zoo were large, making them a popular attraction for visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were large in size, perhaps larger than gorillas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, they were large and lollopy; they were like bald night creatures dumbfounded by the light.

The New Yorker

They were large, made from heavy blown glass, and they must have been very uncomfortable.

The New York Times - Health

Honda has not confirmed the raises, indicating only that they were large in percentage terms.

The New York Times

Although they were large herbivores, the head and jaws are small -- too small for massive chewing muscles to attach to.

The Guardian

"In most people's scheme of things they were large contributions," Koch said, "but they weren't for the America's Cup".

The New York Times - Sports

They were large, uncluttered spaces, easily accessible for deliveries and they were cool (temperature-wise, not in their demeanour).

The Guardian - Opinion

They were large enough to hold their gases close, swaddling themselves in atmosphere; small enough to stay solid, never swelling into gaseous giants.

The New Yorker

She wrote, "There were two of them, they were sisters, they were large women, they were rich, they were very different one from the other one".

The New York Times

If they did exist, it was unclear whether they were large enough to compensate for the opportunity cost of not treating NHS patients in order of priority.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were large, bright red, and covered in obscenely fluffy ruffles, the kind that you see little girls wearing under their fancy dresses in old-timey pictures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were large" to describe physical dimensions or the extent of something, ensuring the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a previously mentioned plural noun. If there isn't a previous clear plural noun replace "they" to clarify the subject of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "they were large" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ambiguity can confuse readers; clarify the subject to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were large" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of being large to a plural subject. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is commonly used to indicate size or extent. Examples in Ludwig show its application across varied subjects, from animals to financial contributions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Opinion

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were large" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the considerable size, extent, or magnitude of a plural subject. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts. As evidenced by the numerous examples from various sources, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific publications, and opinion pieces. While generally neutral in register, it is crucial to ensure clarity by providing a clear antecedent for "they" to avoid ambiguity. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "they were substantial" or "they were enormous" to capture nuances in meaning and emphasis. Understanding these nuances helps writers use language effectively to convey the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were substantial

Emphasizes the considerable amount or quantity of something.

they were considerable

Highlights the noteworthy or significant degree of size or impact.

they were enormous

Indicates an exceptionally great size.

they were huge

Synonymous with "large", but often implies a more striking or impressive size.

they were massive

Suggests a great size combined with weight or solidity.

they were extensive

Focuses on the broad reach or scope of something.

they were significant

Highlights the importance or consequence associated with something.

they were voluminous

Emphasizes the fullness or quantity of something, often in terms of capacity or amount.

they were tremendous

Highlights something impressive in size or magnitude.

they were vast

Emphasizes a great extent or expanse.

FAQs

What does "they were large" mean?

The phrase "they were large" is used to describe that a group of items, entities, or individuals had a significant or substantial size. The term "large" is relative and depends on the context in which it is used.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were substantial", "they were enormous", or "they were huge" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was large"?

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

How does the context influence the meaning of "they were large"?

The context determines the specific interpretation of "large". For example, "they were large contributions" implies a significant amount of money, while "they were large animals" refers to physical size.