they were living

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "they were living" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing what someone or something was doing in a certain moment in the past. For example, "Before their family moved to a new town, they were living in the countryside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were living so luxurious.

The New Yorker

But they were living their dream".

The New York Times

They were living in an orphanage.

The New Yorker

That being said, they were living there".

The New York Times

A month later, they were living together.

The New York Times

They were living very well.

The New York Times

As if they were living together.

Columbia University

At that point they were living platonically.

The New York Times

Soon they were living in different worlds.

The New York Times

They were living on his paycheck.

The New York Times

They were living in Los Angeles.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were living" to describe a continuous state or activity in the past. For example, "They were living in a small village when the war broke out."

Common error

Avoid confusing "they were living" (past continuous tense) with "they live" (present simple tense). "They live" describes a habitual or general truth, while "they were living" describes a specific period in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were living" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing state or action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its ability to depict past situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were living" is a versatile phrase used to describe an ongoing state or action in the past. It's grammatically sound and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of a continuous action in the past, differentiating it from other tenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were residing

Emphasizes the act of inhabiting a specific place, similar to "they were living" but with a focus on location.

they resided

This suggests a more formal or permanent dwelling than simply "living".

they inhabited

This highlights the act of occupying a space or environment.

they existed

This alternative simplifies the phrase to indicate mere existence, lacking the nuance of a lifestyle or condition.

they were dwelling

Continuous form of dwelled. Implies a prolonged or continuous stay in a place, similar to living.

they dwelled

This implies a more poetic or old-fashioned way of saying "they lived", often suggesting a sense of contentment or prolonged stay.

they were situated

Focuses on the location or position where they were living, rather than their lifestyle.

they were surviving

Implies that their existence was challenging or difficult, adding a layer of struggle to the concept of living.

they flourished

Suggests a prosperous or thriving existence, contrasting with merely "living".

they were experiencing

Shifts the focus to the experiences and events happening in their lives, rather than their mere existence.

FAQs

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

Use "they were living" to describe a continuous action or state in the past. For example, "They were living abroad when they met."

What are some alternatives to "they were living"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "they resided", "they inhabited", or "they dwelled".

Is it correct to say "they lived" instead of "they were living"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "They lived" implies a completed period of residence, while "they were living" emphasizes a continuous state in the past.

What's the difference between "they are living" and "they were living"?

"They are living" refers to the present, while "they were living" refers to the past. For example, "They are living in New York now, but "they were living in London last year"."