they were over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has ended or is no longer in effect, often in a context of relationships or events. Example: "After months of arguing, they finally realized that they were over and decided to part ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The interviews appeared to drain him; when they were over, he left quickly with his family.

The New York Times

Nobody thought they ought to bow out and shut up because they were over 60.

The Guardian - Music

"Maybe they cleaned the place up while they were over".

Forbes

Speaking of those exams, when they were over, my mother accused me of being self-absorbed.

Science Magazine

He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.

Huffington Post

None of my Trini friends were allowed to play adult mas until they were over 16.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Essentially, they were over-reaching themselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I heard [chief executive Ivan] Gazidis say they were over-performing.

The Guardian - Sport

Predictably, they were over-represented in medium and supertasters and underrepresented in non tasters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They dug in for as long as they could, before they were over-run.

Independent

Women doubted their cancer attributions, concerned that they were over-reacting.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were over" to describe the end of an event, ensure the context clearly establishes what "they" refers to. For example, "The holidays were over, and it was time to return to work."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the pronoun "they" has a clear and direct antecedent in your writing. If unclear, replace "they" with the specific noun or phrase to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were over" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a particular period, event, or situation has concluded. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is commonly used to describe the end of events, relationships, or periods of time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were over" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the end of something, whether it's an event, a period, or a relationship. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by clearly defining the reference of "they". The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for both casual and formal contexts. Related phrases include alternatives that can add nuance or formality to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was finished

Emphasizes the completion of a task or event.

it had ended

Highlights the termination point of an event or period.

it was all done

Stresses the complete conclusion of something.

they had concluded

Formally indicates the end of proceedings or discussions.

they were completed

Highlights the state of being fully finished or executed.

they surpassed it

Focuses on exceeding a limit or expectation.

they exceeded it

Similar to surpassed, but emphasizes going beyond a specific measure.

they had passed

Implies moving beyond a certain point or phase.

they were no more

Emphasizes the cessation of existence or activity.

those days were gone

Indicates a past period that has ended and is unlikely to return.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were over" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives such as "they had concluded" or "they were completed" to achieve a more formal tone.

What does it mean when someone says "they were over it"?

It typically means that someone has lost interest in or is no longer affected by something. It suggests a state of indifference or moving on.

Is it correct to use "they were over" to describe a finished task?

Yes, it is correct. However, depending on the context, phrases like "it was finished" or "they were completed" may be more appropriate for clarity.

What's the difference between "they were over" and "they had ended"?

"They were over" often implies a sense of finality or completion in a more casual context, while "they had ended" is a more formal way to express the same idea, emphasizing the termination of something.