they were laughing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were laughing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a group of people is expressing amusement or joy through laughter. Example: "As the joke was told, they were laughing heartily, filling the room with joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were laughing together.

The New Yorker

They were laughing.

The New Yorker

Soon, they were laughing.

The New Yorker

"But they were laughing.

The New York Times

Now they were laughing.

The Guardian

And they were laughing".

The Guardian - Film

"They were laughing, smiling.

The New York Times

Soon, however, they were laughing.

The New York Times

They were laughing out loud.

The New York Times

"They were laughing so hard".

The New York Times

"They were laughing at me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your descriptions of laughter by using related phrases like "they chuckled" or "they roared with laughter" to add nuance and avoid repetition.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "they were laughing" in highly formal or academic writing. More descriptive alternatives might be more appropriate depending on the specific context and intended tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were laughing" functions as an independent clause, specifically a statement. It uses the past continuous tense to describe an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were laughing" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a group expressing amusement in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, primarily within News & Media. When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives such as "they chuckled" or "they burst out laughing" may be more appropriate. While generally neutral, it's best to avoid overuse in strictly formal writing. Overall, "they were laughing" effectively communicates a shared moment of joy or amusement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they burst out laughing

Highlights the suddenness of the laughter.

they chuckled

Implies a quieter, more restrained form of laughter.

they were chuckling

Indicates a soft, partly suppressed laugh.

they were giggling

Suggests a light, often childish, laughter.

they chortled

Implies a gleeful, chuckling laugh.

they roared with laughter

Emphasizes a loud, unrestrained expression of amusement.

they were howling with laughter

Suggests boisterous and unrestrained laughter.

they were in stitches

Indicates extreme amusement, to the point of discomfort.

they mocked

Conveys laughter with the intent to ridicule.

they ridiculed

Laughter aimed to deride or make fun of someone.

FAQs

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

"They were laughing" is used to describe a group of people expressing amusement or joy. For example: "As the comedian told the joke, "they were laughing" heartily.".

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

You can use alternatives like "they chuckled", "they giggled", or "they burst out laughing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

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

What is the difference between "they were laughing" and "they laughed"?

"They were laughing" indicates a continuous action in the past (past continuous), while "they laughed" indicates a completed action in the past (simple past). For example: "They were laughing during the entire movie" versus "They laughed at the end of the movie".