they were off

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone leaving, or when talking about something being finished or completed. Example: After completing their work, they were off for the day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"They were off the charts.

The New York Times

But they were off.

The Guardian

Eventually, they were off to Finnegan's.

The New York Times

They were off their high horse.

The New Yorker

They were off -- way off.

The New York Times

Then they were off again.

The Guardian - Sport

They were off the record.

The New Yorker

They were off the radar.

The Guardian

They were off the chart.

The Guardian - Books

They were off the leash!

The Guardian

The race began, and they were off.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were off" to indicate a clear and definitive departure or the commencement of an activity. Ensure the context clearly supports the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were off" when you mean "they were supposed to be off work/duty" as it can lead to confusion. Instead, specify the context, such as "they had the day off" or "they were off duty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were off" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state or action of a subject (they). It can indicate departure, commencement, or a state of being incorrect. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were off" is a versatile expression commonly used to indicate departure, the commencement of an activity, or a state of being incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "they had left" or "they departed" to achieve greater precision. While generally neutral in tone, awareness of the intended meaning is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had left

Simple and direct synonym for leaving a place.

they took off

Informal synonym suggesting a quick or sudden departure.

they had departed

Formal synonym emphasizing the act of leaving.

they had gone

Simple past perfect tense indicating they are no longer present.

they got underway

Idiomatic phrase for starting a journey or project.

they commenced

Formal alternative indicating the start of an activity or journey.

they deviated

Highlights a departure from a planned course or standard.

they went rogue

Suggests acting independently or against established rules.

they were incorrect

Formal synonym for being wrong or inaccurate.

they were mistaken

Indicates being incorrect or in error, shifting the meaning from departure to inaccuracy.

FAQs

What does "they were off" mean?

The phrase "they were off" can mean that a group of people departed from a place, began an activity, or were incorrect/mistaken depending on the context.

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

You can use "they were off" to describe people leaving, such as "After the meeting, "they were off" to lunch", or to indicate the start of something, like "At the sound of the bell, "they were off"!".

Which is correct, "they were off" or "they are off"?

The correct phrase depends on the intended tense. "They were off" indicates a past action, while "they are off" indicates a present or future state of being away or incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "they were off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they had left", "they departed", or "they were mistaken".