they were same

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they were same" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe two things that were not different from each other. For example, you could say "Their expressions were the same; they both looked confused."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I didn't think for a moment they were same person". Clarke was also upset that Madden didn't defend her during this bizarre encounter with "Tariq".

The Guardian - Film

Watching Oldham's first-half capitulation at London on Sunday it was hard to believe they were same side who won at Hull KR a couple of months ago.

The Guardian - Sport

"It didn't take me long to say they were same camera, same time, same man," Mr. Moeller said in an interview.

The New York Times - Arts

But we cannot claim that they were same in the long term.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Participants responded to two targets by indicating whether they were same or different letters.

Plosone

Despite the commonality of interaction networks, most of the genes in theses pathways were either different, or they were same genes but responded with different kinetics.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He said he believed marriage made communities financially and socially stronger, regardless of whether they were same-sex or between a man and a woman.

The New York Times

But at Tempe Preparatory Academy she had to choose between soccer and basketball because they were same-season sports, and basketball's faster pace and continuous scoring won her over.

Columbia University

On the one hand, a vast majority (94%) of patients going to Belgium for sperm donation were not legally eligible for ART in France because they were same-sex couples or single women.

Human Reproduction

The majority (94%) of French patients using sperm donation in Belgium were not legally eligible for access to ART in France as they were same-sex couples or single women, and the main criterion of choice of centre was its geographical proximity (71%).

Human Reproduction

It means that they are same type of indexes.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "they were same" appears in some contexts, using the grammatically correct phrase "they were the same" is generally preferred for clarity and broader acceptance.

Common error

Avoid omitting the definite article "the" before the adjective "same". Saying "they were same" can sound awkward; always use "they were the same" to ensure proper grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were same" functions as a descriptive statement, aiming to convey that two or more entities share identical characteristics. While grammatically unconventional, it attempts to express equivalence or indistinguishability, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "they were same" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI confirms that it is better to use the standard phrase "they were the same". Although it surfaces in contexts like news, science, and academia, adhering to standard grammatical conventions ensures clarity and broader acceptance. Therefore, using "they were the same" is the recommended practice for formal and accurate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were the same

Grammatically correct version, conveying that the subjects are not different.

they were identical

Emphasizes exact similarity, implying no discernible difference.

they were indistinguishable

Implies that it was impossible to tell the subjects apart.

they were alike

Indicates a strong resemblance or similarity, but not necessarily perfect.

they matched

Highlights the correspondence or agreement between the subjects.

they were similar

Suggests a likeness between the subjects but allows for some differences.

they corresponded

Suggests a parallel or similarity in structure or detail.

they were equivalent

Highlights functional or effective sameness, especially in terms of value or impact.

they harmonized

Focuses on the agreement or compatibility of the subjects, often in a more aesthetic sense.

they were equal

Focuses on equality in measure, quantity, or status.

FAQs

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

While the phrase "they were same" is sometimes used, the grammatically correct and more widely accepted version is "they were the same".

What's the difference between "they were same" and "they were the same"?

"They were same" is a less formal and somewhat grammatically questionable construction. "They were the same" is the standard, grammatically correct way to express that two or more things are identical or equivalent.

What can I say instead of "they were the same"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they were identical", "they were alike", or "they were similar".

When is it acceptable to use "they were same"?

While not generally recommended, "they were same" might be acceptable in very informal contexts or where brevity is prioritized. However, "they were the same" is almost always a better choice.