they were rich

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were rich" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's wealth or financial status in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "In the small town, everyone knew that they were rich, living in a mansion with luxurious cars parked in the driveway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were rich!

The Washington Post

They were rich, they were from Manhattan.

The New York Times - Books

"They were rich people," he said.

The New York Times

They were rich and beguiling, not bossy.

The New York Times - Food

If they were rich enough – and that's the problem.

The Guardian - Arts

African hunter-gatherers created the first "affluent society". They were rich in time.

The New York Times

They were rich entrepreneurs and, like many Americans, at once cosmopolitan and parochial in their tastes.

The New York Times - Arts

If they were rich enough they created picturesque landscapes on their estates.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Of course, they were richer.

The New York Times

They are rich.

The New York Times - Sports

They're rich.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were rich" to clearly and directly state someone's financial status in a narrative or descriptive context. It's suitable for most writing styles, except perhaps the most formal academic papers where "they were affluent" might be preferred.

Common error

While "they were rich" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "they were wealthy" or "they enjoyed affluence" to maintain reader interest. Also, steer clear of clichés such as "filthy rich" unless you're aiming for a specific stylistic effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were rich" functions primarily as a descriptive statement, characterizing a group of people as possessing a significant amount of wealth. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were rich" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote wealth. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely acceptable and is suitable across a range of contexts, from news articles to academic papers. While it is generally neutral, more formal alternatives exist, such as "they were affluent", for more specialized writing. Be mindful of overuse and consider varying your language with synonyms to maintain reader engagement. The phrase's simplicity and directness make it a reliable choice for clearly conveying financial status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were affluent

A more formal and direct synonym for "rich".

they had wealth

Focuses on the possession of wealth, rather than a state of being.

they had fortunes

Suggests a significant accumulation of wealth.

they possessed riches

Emphasizes the abundance of wealth, adding a slightly more formal tone.

they enjoyed affluence

Highlights the positive experience of having wealth.

they were well-off

A more understated way of saying "they were rich".

they were prosperous

Suggests long-term financial success and stability.

they lived lavishly

Focuses on the lifestyle enabled by wealth, rather than the wealth itself.

they were flush with cash

Highlights the immediate availability of money.

they were rolling in money

An informal and exaggerated expression of wealth.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were rich" to describe a group of people who had a lot of money, such as "Despite the economic downturn, they were rich and unaffected by the financial struggles of others."

What is a more formal alternative to "they were rich"?

A more formal alternative would be "they were affluent". This term carries a similar meaning but is often used in more formal or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "they was rich" instead of "they were rich"?

No, "they was rich" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "they were rich" because "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were".

How does "they were rich" compare to "they became rich"?

"They were rich" describes a state of being, indicating that they possessed wealth at a particular time. "They became rich" describes a change in state, indicating that they acquired wealth at some point.