they were out

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were out' is a perfectly correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it in situations where someone has left or gone out, or is no longer available or present. For example: "I called my friend, but they were out so I left a voicemail instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were out by morning.

The New York Times

They were out in a few places.

The New Yorker

"Last year they were out".

The New York Times

"In years past I never knew they were out there".

The New York Times

"They were out for our heads," one soldier told me.

The New Yorker

I say they were out for a lot longer".

BBC

They were out to Greece.

Wikipedia

They were out walking.

Huffington Post

They were out for a good time.

Huffington Post

They were out on the field.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Against Washington, they were out-schemed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were out" to indicate a temporary absence or unavailability, whether it's for a short errand or a longer trip. The context usually clarifies the duration.

Common error

Avoid using "they were out" when referring to something permanently gone or destroyed; opt for phrases like "they were gone" or "they were destroyed" to better convey the finality of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were out" functions primarily as a statement indicating that a group of people was not present at a specific location or unavailable at a certain time. This aligns with Ludwig AI’s assessment of its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were out" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the absence or unavailability of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable sentence in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, with neutral register. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity, using alternatives when describing permanent departures or destroyed items. The phrase is best used to show someone is temporarily absent from their location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had left

Focuses specifically on the action of leaving a place.

they had gone

Similar to 'they had left', but can also imply a longer absence.

they were absent

Highlights their state of being not present.

they were not there

Directly states their lack of presence.

they were unavailable

Emphasizes their lack of accessibility or readiness.

they were away

Indicates they are at a different location.

they were off

Implies they were not working or on duty.

they were finished

Suggests they completed an activity and are no longer participating

they had departed

A more formal way of saying they had left.

they were no longer present

Formal way to express that someone is not there anymore

FAQs

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

You can use "they were out" to indicate that a group of people is not currently at a specific location. For example, "I tried to call them, but "they were out" when I called."

What's the difference between "they were out" and "they had left"?

"They were out" typically implies a temporary absence, while "they had left" suggests a more permanent departure, though context is crucial in both cases.

What can I say instead of "they were out" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "they were absent" or "they were unavailable", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "they were out" to describe a product that is sold out?

Yes, it is acceptable to use "they were out" to indicate that a product is sold out. For instance, "I wanted to buy the book, but "they were out of stock"".