they were now

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were now" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a transition to a new state or situation in the present. For example, "They had been arguing for hours, but they were now reconciled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were now richer.

The New York Times

They were now only two.

The New York Times

They were now.

The New Yorker

But they were now almost helpless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were now a liability.

The New York Times

Of course they were now.

The Guardian - Film

They were now arranged in a circle.

The New Yorker

They were now competing against each other.

The New York Times - Sports

They were now in the game.

The New York Times

They were now supportive and very enthusiastic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were now expected to wilt.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when highlighting a before-and-after scenario to emphasize the transformation. Example: "Previously rivals, they were now allies in the face of a common threat."

Common error

Avoid using "they are now" when the context clearly refers to a past situation. "They are now" indicates a present state, while "they were now" signifies a past transition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they were now" is to indicate a change in state or condition. It often acts as a transition phrase, highlighting a shift from a previous situation to a new one. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were now" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a transition or change in state that occurred in the past. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. It is crucial to differentiate "they were now" (past transition) from "they are now" (present state) to maintain tense consistency. The phrase functions to inform about a transformation and carries a neutral register. To enhance writing, use "they were now" to clearly emphasize a shift, while avoiding overuse in present-tense contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had become

Emphasizes the process of becoming something.

they had turned into

Suggests a more significant transformation.

they found themselves

Highlights the unexpected nature of the new situation.

they were at this point

Focuses on a specific moment in time.

they stood as

Implies a formal recognition of their new status.

they were at that stage

Highlights progression or evolution.

they existed as

Formal way of describing what they became.

they transitioned into

Suggests a gradual or deliberate shift.

they had evolved into

Implies gradual and natural progression.

they presently were

Emphasizes current situation.

FAQs

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

Use "they were now" to indicate a change of state or situation that occurred in the past. For example, "After the storm, they were now faced with rebuilding their homes."

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

"They are now" refers to the present state, whereas "they were now" refers to a past state. Use "they are now" when describing a current situation and "they were now" when describing a past transition.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "they had become", "they found themselves", or "they transitioned into".

Is it correct to say "they are now" instead of "they were now"?

The correctness depends on the context. If you're describing a current situation, "they are now" is appropriate. If you're describing a past situation, "they were now" is correct.