they were present

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were present" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to people who were at a particular place or event. For example: "At the awards ceremony, they were present to accept their prize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Salim's lawyers, because they were present, became potential witnesses.

The New York Times

In Bilbao, they were present in spirit before they played.

The New Yorker

You'd think they were present only at the conception.

The New Yorker

Some may wonder why parents (assuming they were present) allowed their children to be interviewed.

Harvard University

They were present at the creation of the New World Order.

Cornell University

When they were present, they were quiet and tractable but not particularly involved.

The New Yorker

He also noticed that they were present in urine of healthy people.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They were present at liftoff and then had to live in the backwash of all that".

The New York Times - Arts

He said they were present "for advice on the targeting process".

The Guardian

They were present because they believe in the cause -- which has raised several million over the last 11 years for the unfortunate former players and their families -- and they were present because of the persuasion and urging of Garagiola.

The New York Times - Sports

You can't imagine people claiming, decades later, that they were present at the fabled 2014 foyer show.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were present" to clearly indicate the presence of individuals at a specific location, event, or during a particular time. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they were present" when a more active voice would be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "It was ensured that they were present", try "They ensured their presence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were present" functions as a statement of existence or attendance. It indicates that a group of individuals occupied a specific location or participated in a particular event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase adheres to standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were present" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that indicates the existence or attendance of a group of people at a specific location or event. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. As demonstrated by numerous examples from diverse sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals, the phrase enjoys wide applicability across different registers, making it a versatile tool for clear and effective communication. While alternatives like "they attended" or "they were there" exist, "they were present" offers a balance of formality and clarity suitable for various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were there

A simpler, more direct way of stating presence at a location or event.

they attended

This alternative focuses on the action of attending, emphasizing active participation or presence.

they were in attendance

This emphasizes the formal aspect of being present at an event or gathering.

they were on hand

This suggests they were available and ready to assist or participate.

they existed

This alternative highlights the fact of their existence at a particular time or place.

they were participating

Focuses on the active role they played in an event or activity.

they were involved

Emphasizes their connection or engagement with a specific situation or event.

they were situated

Implies their location or position at a certain place.

they were located

Similar to 'situated', but focuses on the physical location.

they were around

An informal way of saying they were in the vicinity or generally present.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were present" to indicate that a group of people was at a particular place or event. For example, "At the conference, "they were present" to share their research."

What are some alternatives to saying "they were present"?

Alternatives include "they attended", "they were there", or "they were in attendance", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they were present"?

Yes, "they were present" is grammatically correct. It's a standard way to express that a group of people existed or attended a specific event or location.

What's the difference between "they were present" and "they were there"?

While both phrases indicate presence, "they were present" is often slightly more formal. "They were there" is a more direct and general way of indicating that someone was at a location. However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable.