they were married

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were married" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a past event where two people got married. Example: "John and Sarah met in college and after dating for five years, they were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were married last September.

The New York Times

They were married by Calif.

The New Yorker

They were married 58 years?

The New York Times - Magazine

They were married in 1970.

The New York Times - Arts

There they were married.

The New York Times

Recently, they were married.

The New York Times - Style

They were married women.

The New Yorker

They were married in July.

The New York Times

By 1983 they were married.

The New York Times

In 1992, they were married.

The New York Times

This September, they were married.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were married" when referring to a past event where two people became legally or ceremonially joined as spouses. Be mindful of the specific context, as more descriptive alternatives may be appropriate for certain situations.

Common error

While "they were married" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider using the active voice (e.g., "the minister married them") when appropriate to make your sentences more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were married" functions as an independent clause, stating a completed action in the past. It is a passive construction indicating that a marriage ceremony or legal union has taken place. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were married" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used independent clause to describe that two people have united in matrimony. Ludwig AI validates this, showing numerous examples from reputable sources. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to communicate a past event straightforwardly. While alternatives like "they tied the knot" or "they wed" exist, the phrase remains a standard and neutral way of conveying this information. Be mindful of overuse of the passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for stronger writing when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they wed

A more concise and formal way of saying they got married.

they tied the knot

Uses an idiomatic expression for getting married.

they exchanged vows

Focuses on the act of promising commitment in a marriage ceremony.

they became husband and wife

States the resulting roles after marriage.

they joined in holy matrimony

Highlights the religious aspect of the marriage.

their marriage took place

Highlights the event of the marriage itself.

they entered into matrimony

A formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing marriage.

they walked down the aisle

Focuses on the traditional wedding ceremony.

they made it official

An informal way of saying they formalized their relationship through marriage.

the wedding happened

Focuses on the event of the wedding.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were married" to describe the past event of a marriage ceremony or legal union. For example: "After a whirlwind romance, they were married in a small ceremony surrounded by family and friends."

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

You can use alternatives like "they tied the knot", "they wed", or "they exchanged vows depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were married" or "they got married"?

Both "they were married" and "they got married" are correct and commonly used. "They were married" is slightly more formal, while "they got married" is more informal.

Is "they are married" different from "they were married"?

"They are married" indicates their current marital status. "They were married" refers to the past event of their wedding. For example, "They are married now, but they were married last year in Italy".