they were sleeping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were sleeping" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of rest or inactivity, typically referring to people or animals who are in the act of sleeping. Example: "After a long day at work, they were sleeping soundly on the couch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were sleeping in.

The New York Times

"They were sleeping," he said.

The New York Times

They were sleeping in a separate bedroom.

The New York Times

They were sleeping outside during malaria season.

The New Yorker

"They were sleeping on the floor".

The New York Times

The room was dark, because they were sleeping.

The New York Times

She did and after a while, they were sleeping together.

The New Yorker

("It doesn't mean that they were sleeping with each other").

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They're sleeping.

The New York Times - Sports

They're sleeping now".

The New York Times

I said, they are sleeping.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were sleeping" to describe a state of rest or inactivity, especially when emphasizing the act of sleeping itself. For example, "The children were exhausted, so they were sleeping soundly."

Common error

Avoid using "they were sleeping" when you intend to describe a state of inactivity that is not necessarily sleep-related. For example, if you mean "they were idle or inactive", find alternative words such as "they were resting" or "they were inactive" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were sleeping" functions primarily as a descriptive statement indicating that a group was in the act of sleeping. It uses the past continuous tense to emphasize the duration or ongoing nature of the sleep. Ludwig examples show various contexts, reinforcing its role as a simple declarative statement about a past action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were sleeping" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a group in the act of sleeping. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It is most frequently found in News & Media, serving an informative purpose with a neutral tone. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately represents a state of rest, and consider alternatives like "they were resting" or "they were napping" if a more specific context is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were fast asleep

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of their sleep.

they were sound asleep

Similar to 'fast asleep', highlighting undisturbed sleep.

they were resting

Focuses on a general state of rest rather than specifically sleeping.

they were napping

Implies a short period of sleep, as opposed to a longer sleep.

they were dozing

Suggests a light sleep, often interrupted.

they were catching some z's

An informal way of saying they were sleeping.

they were slumbering

A more formal and gentle way of saying they were sleeping.

they were unconscious

Indicates a state of not being awake, potentially due to medical reasons.

they were in a coma

Describes a prolonged state of unconsciousness.

they were out cold

Suggests a deep, often sudden state of unconsciousness.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were sleeping" to describe a group of people or animals in a state of rest. For example, "When the burglars broke in, they were sleeping soundly upstairs".

What are some alternatives to "they were sleeping"?

You can use alternatives like "they were resting", "they were napping", or "they were dozing" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they was sleeping"?

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

What's the difference between "they were sleeping" and "they had been sleeping"?

"They were sleeping" describes an action in progress in the past. "They had been sleeping" describes an action that had been in progress for some time before another action occurred. For example, "They were sleeping when the phone rang" versus "They had been sleeping for hours when the alarm went off".