they were sincere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were sincere" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's genuine feelings or intentions in a situation. Example: "Despite the challenges they faced, they were sincere in their efforts to help the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He readily admitted liking Russians: they were sincere, like Texans.

The Economist

"I think they were sincere in what they wrote.

The Guardian - Arts

I thought they were sincere in their views.

The Guardian

If they were sincere about a vote, they would not ask us to leave the park.

The New York Times

"Maybe some mistakes were made ��� but they were sincere ones, childish, naive.

The New Yorker

The man assumed that the boys were mocking him; they insisted that they were sincere, and he pointed the way.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Are they being sincere?

The New York Times

They are sincere.

Princeton University

They're sincere.

The Washington Post

I don't think they are sincere.

The New York Times

"They are sincere and devoted friends.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were sincere" to convey a sense of genuine intent or feeling, ensuring the context supports the claim of sincerity.

Common error

Avoid stating "they were sincere" without providing supporting context or evidence. Ensure your writing demonstrates the basis for your assessment of their sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were sincere" functions as a statement or assertion about the genuineness of a group's feelings, intentions, or actions. Ludwig confirms its correct usage for expressing perceived authenticity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were sincere" is a common expression used to convey the genuineness of a group's intentions or feelings. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "they were genuine" or "they were earnest" exist, "they were sincere" effectively communicates an assessment of authenticity. It's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the context supports the claim of sincerity. While sincerity is generally viewed positively, it does not guarantee a positive outcome, merely an honest intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were genuine

Replaces "sincere" with "genuine", emphasizing authenticity.

they were honest

Substitutes "sincere" with "honest", emphasizing their integrity.

they were earnest

Substitutes "sincere" with "earnest", highlighting the seriousness of their intentions.

their intentions were sincere

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the sincerity of their intentions.

they were truthful

Replaces "sincere" with "truthful", focusing on the honesty of their words and actions.

they were authentic

Uses "authentic" instead of "sincere" to underscore their originality and lack of pretense.

they were heartfelt

Replaces "sincere" with "heartfelt", emphasizing deep and genuine emotion.

they displayed sincerity

Uses a more formal tone by saying they "displayed sincerity."

they were frank

Substitutes "sincere" with "frank", which highlights their direct and open communication.

they seemed sincere

Adds a degree of uncertainty by using "seemed" instead of stating it as a fact.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were sincere" to describe a group's genuine intentions or feelings. For example, "Despite the challenges, "they were sincere" in their efforts to help."

What are some alternatives to "they were sincere"?

Alternatives include "they were genuine", "they were earnest", or "they were truthful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to say "they were sincere"?

While generally positive, the impact of "they were sincere" depends on the context. Sincerity alone doesn't guarantee a positive outcome; it simply indicates genuineness of intent.

How can I verify if "they were sincere" in a given situation?

Verifying sincerity often relies on assessing consistency between words and actions, considering their past behavior, and understanding their motivations. However, true sincerity can sometimes be difficult to definitively prove.