they were running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were running" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was happening in the past, typically in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the sun began to set, they were running through the park, enjoying the cool evening breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were running late.

Independent

"They were running.

The New York Times - Sports

They were running lickety-split quarter-miles.

The New York Times - Sports

They were running from the police.

The New Yorker

"They were running 10 minutes late.

Independent

They were running a Francis special.

The New Yorker

They were running around getting me water.

The New Yorker

They were running out of ammunition.

The Washington Post

In short, they were running the network.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They were run Mondays through Fridays.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

They're running Chalabi.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were running" to describe an action happening over a period of time in the past. For example: "As the alarm sounded, "they were running" towards the exit."

Common error

While "they were running" describes ongoing action, avoid using it to describe a state of being. For example, instead of "they were running late all the time", consider "they were frequently late".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were running" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, describing an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a standard and acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were running" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an ongoing action in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts and registers, particularly in news and media. The semantic alternatives like "they ran", "they were sprinting", and "they were racing" offer nuances in meaning. Remember to use it correctly to describe actions happening over a period, not to describe static situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they ran

Shortened past tense, omitting the continuous aspect.

they were sprinting

Specifies the type of running, implying high speed.

they were jogging

Specifies a slower, more leisurely pace of running.

they were racing

Implies a competitive element to the running.

they were fleeing

Highlights the act of escaping or avoiding danger while running.

they hastened

More formal way of saying they hurried, but not necessarily running.

they rushed

Similar to running, but may imply urgency without specifying running.

they were escaping

Emphasizes the act of getting away from a situation.

they were hurrying

Indicates moving quickly, not necessarily running.

they were proceeding quickly

Formal alternative indicating fast movement, not specifically running.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were running" to describe a continuous action in the past, such as ""They were running" to catch the bus" or ""They were running" a marathon last weekend".

What's a more formal way to say "they were running"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives to "they were running" could include "they hastened" or "they rushed". These options might be suitable for professional or academic writing.

What can I say instead of "they were running" to indicate speed?

If you want to emphasize speed, you could use phrases like "they were sprinting" or "they were racing", which imply a faster pace than simply "they were running".

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

No, "they was running" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were running", as "were" is the past tense plural form of the verb "to be".