they were massive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were massive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very large or significant in size or impact. Example: "The ancient trees in the forest were massive, towering over everything else in the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They were massive, rococo urban wonders.

The New Yorker

"They were massive supporters of me," Davidson said.

The Guardian - Sport

They were both always willing to compromise to help me to get through, they were massive in what I achieved and so I'm very grateful for that".

The Guardian - Sport

"They were huge, they were massive, but what is most interesting is that they seem not to have been repressed," Amr al-Azm, a Syrian historian, said of the day's protests.

The New York Times

Lee Purdy will add his name to a long and distinguished list of British boxers who travelled to most points of the globe for world-title fights knowing that they were massive underdogs.

Independent

Before they were Massive Attack, the three core members – Robert "3D" Del Naja, Andrew Mushroomm" Vowles and Grant Daddy G Marshallll – belonged to Bristol's Wild Bunch sound system crew, an extended collective whose members also included Tricky and future Soul II Soul member Nellee Hooper, both of whom would contribute to Blue Lines, as well as lesser-known local characters DJ Milo and Willy Wee.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They are massive.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"They're massive," Dr. Pringle said.

The New York Times

"There's absolutely no pressure as they are massive underdogs.

The Guardian - Sport

They are massive, sophisticated, beyond our capabilities," he said.

The Guardian

"They are massive now and they want to say thank you to the Thai fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider synonyms like "they were enormous" or "they were huge" for a more common usage depending on the desired tone.

Common error

Avoid using "they were massive" when a simpler adjective like "big" or "large" would suffice. "Massive" carries a stronger connotation of impressiveness and should be reserved for appropriate situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were massive" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of being very large or significant to a subject. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were massive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something of great size, scale, or impact. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts such as news, media, and science, with the majority of examples sourced from news outlets. While it's important to ensure that "massive" is appropriate for the specific context and avoid overuse, especially where simpler adjectives would suffice. Consider alternative expressions like "they were enormous" or "they were huge" to add stylistic variety to your writing. Understanding these nuances helps ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were enormous

Emphasizes great size, more commonly used than "massive".

they were gigantic

Implies extraordinary size, often used for emphasis.

they were huge

A simpler and more common synonym for "massive".

they were colossal

Suggests immense size, often with a sense of awe.

they were immense

Indicates exceptional size or degree.

they were substantial

Focuses on significance and size.

they were considerable

Highlights the importance and size.

they were monumental

Implies grandeur and lasting impact.

they were extensive

Suggests a large scope or range.

they were impressive

Highlights the admirable quality due to large size or impact.

FAQs

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

Use "they were massive" to describe something very large or significant. For example, "The skyscrapers downtown, "they were massive", dwarfed the surrounding buildings."

What's a good alternative to "they were massive"?

Alternatives include "they were enormous", "they were huge", or "they were gigantic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "they were massive" instead of "they were big"?

"They were massive" implies a greater degree of size or impact than "they were big". Use "they were massive" when you want to emphasize the immense scale or importance of something.

Is "they are massive" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they are massive" is grammatically correct. It's the present tense form of "they were massive". For example: "The files from the data breach, "they are massive" and mostly unencrypted."