they were mad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were mad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's emotional state, typically indicating anger or frustration. Example: "After hearing the news, they were mad and couldn't believe what had happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were mad days.

Independent

"They were mad," Fielder said.

The New York Times - Sports

Most people thought they were mad.

The Guardian

"They were mad at the party in power".

The New York Times

I saw they were mad Kanye played Glastonbury.

The Guardian - Music

They were mad when Jay Z played too.

The Guardian - Music

You mean they were mad?" He paused for effect, then said: "Oh, I am so stupid.

The New York Times - Sports

He rubbished his accusers, said he'd never met them, that they were mad, desperate, unattractive, liars.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having initially told both men "they were mad", he eventually realised they might have a point.

The Guardian - Books

They were young, and they were mad, and they were undaunted.

The New Yorker

My parents called me Jeffrey Ross when they were mad at me".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were mad", consider the intensity of the emotion you want to convey. Synonyms like "furious" or "upset" can add nuance depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "they were mad" when a milder term like "annoyed" or "displeased" would be more appropriate. Ensure the strength of the word aligns with the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were mad" functions as a statement expressing a past emotional state. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase for describing anger or frustration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were mad" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express that a group of people experienced anger or frustration in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While various synonyms exist to add nuance, the phrase itself is widely applicable across different contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, consider the intensity you want to convey and choose synonyms accordingly. Common errors involve misjudging the intensity of the emotion. While it's widely used, be mindful of choosing a synonym such as "they were angry", or "they were furious", to better express the intensity of what they felt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were angry

Replaces "mad" with a more common synonym, "angry".

they were furious

Substitutes "mad" with "furious", indicating a higher degree of anger.

they were infuriated

Replaces "mad" with "infuriated", suggesting extreme anger to the point of fury.

they were enraged

Replaces "mad" with "enraged", suggesting intense anger.

they were livid

Replaces "mad" with "livid", conveying intense anger, often with a visible reaction.

they were irate

Substitutes "mad" with "irate", conveying a formal sense of anger.

they were incensed

Replaces "mad" with "incensed", which implies a state of great anger and outrage.

they were indignant

Substitutes "mad" with "indignant", suggesting anger mixed with offense at perceived injustice.

they were upset

Replaces "mad" with "upset", indicating a milder form of anger or disappointment.

they were annoyed

Substitutes "mad" with "annoyed", suggesting mild irritation.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "they were angry", "they were furious", or "they were upset" depending on the context.

Is "they were mad" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were mad" is grammatically correct. It's a simple past tense statement indicating that a group of people experienced anger or frustration.

When is it appropriate to use "they were mad"?

It is appropriate when you want to describe a situation where a group of people felt anger, frustration, or strong disapproval towards something. The tone is generally neutral and suitable for various contexts.

What's the difference between "they were mad" and "they were angry"?

The phrases are very similar, but "angry" is generally considered a more common and slightly less intense term than "mad". Both are widely acceptable and often interchangeable.