they were overheating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were overheating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something, such as machinery or a person, is experiencing excessive heat or is becoming too warm. Example: "The engines were running at full capacity, and soon they were overheating, causing a delay in the operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In 2004, after finding that it could not make its chips faster because they were overheating, Intel adopted a strategy it referred to as a "right-hand turn".

The New York Times - Tech

Engine trials were conducted in late 1910 and were unsatisfactory as they were overheating while delivering only 9979 ihp.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It even makes it hard for users to tell that they are overheating and, perhaps, take steps to stop it, like seeking a cooler location.

The New York Times - Health

The issue that is causing some Surface Pro 3 devices to restart and tell users that they are overheating is an error, according to Microsoft.

TechCrunch

Air temperature also seems to have an effect, since dogs can't smell as well when they are overheated and panting.

The New York Times - Science

Then came the laptops with Sony batteries that were overheating.

Forbes

By the Fourth of July, they'll be overheating like a malamute tethered to a street sign in Hell's Kitchen.

The New York Times

You want your clippers to be running at room temperature; if they get hot, the motor is overheating and they won't work as well.

WikiHow

All these people were overheated and it's very erotic".

The Guardian - Film

The rooms were overheated by the television lights.

The New York Times

My fingertips were chilled while my knuckles were overheated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a technical issue, consider quantifying the overheating problem with specific temperature values or metrics if available to provide more precision.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "they" is clearly defined. If the context doesn't immediately identify what "they" refers to, specify the subject to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "They were overheating", write "The engines were overheating".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were overheating" typically functions as a predicate, describing a state of excessive heat experienced by multiple subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. It clarifies that multiple entities or components are experiencing temperatures beyond their safe operating limits, leading to potential malfunctions or system instability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were overheating" is grammatically correct and serves to describe a state where multiple entities are experiencing excessive heat, according to Ludwig AI. While it's a relatively uncommon phrase, it's versatile and can be used in various contexts, including technical, environmental, and economic discussions. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, wiki, and science sources. When using the phrase, ensure that the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent to avoid confusion, as well as consider using specific temperature values for more precision. Alternative phrases such as "they were getting too hot" or "they were experiencing excessive heat" can be used to provide more clarity or formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were getting too hot

Replaces "overheating" with a simpler, more direct expression of high temperature.

they were experiencing excessive heat

Substitutes "overheating" with a more formal and descriptive term.

they were running too hot

Focuses on the operational aspect of overheating, implying a problem with performance.

they were reaching critical temperature

Emphasizes the danger associated with the overheating.

they were beginning to fail due to heat

Highlights the potential consequences of overheating.

they were reaching their thermal limit

Uses technical language to describe the overheating.

they were nearing meltdown

Implies a catastrophic overheating scenario.

their temperature was rising rapidly

Focuses on the increasing temperature as a sign of overheating.

they were struggling with heat dissipation

Highlights the inability to effectively manage heat, leading to overheating.

they were on the verge of thermal runaway

Describes a specific type of dangerous overheating scenario.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "they were overheating"?

It means that multiple items or components were producing or absorbing more heat than they could safely dissipate, potentially leading to malfunction or damage.

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

You can use alternatives like "they were getting too hot", "they were running too hot", or "they were experiencing excessive heat" depending on the context.

How to use "they were overheating" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where multiple things are generating too much heat. For example: "The processors were under heavy load, and as a result, they were overheating."

Is it correct to say "they were overheating", or should it be "it was overheating"?

The correct form depends on whether you are referring to multiple items or a single item. "They were overheating" is used for multiple items, while "it was overheating" would be used for a single item.