they were small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were small" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of objects, animals, or people in a past context. Example: "The puppies were small, barely fitting in the palm of my hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only when they were small.

The New York Times

They were small and wet.

The New Yorker

A: They were small shrubs.

Columbia University

Fortunately they were small and lovely.

The New York Times - Food

They were small, to today's eyes.

The Economist

They were small, lightweight, and stocky.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were small but they looked fierce.

The New Yorker

"They were small, thin machines," Bey recalls.

The New Yorker

They were small, about eight inches long.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They were small-made".

The New York Times

They are small doubts".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "they were small", provide context about what is being compared against. This helps the reader understand the degree of smallness. For example, instead of saying "they were small", say "they were small for their age."

Common error

Avoid using "they were small" without providing a point of reference. Saying "they were small" without context leaves the reader wondering what the subject is being compared to. Always add context to clarify the intended meaning, for example, "they were small compared to the adults" or "they were small for a breed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were small" functions as a descriptive clause, providing information about the size or magnitude of a subject in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were small" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the size or magnitude of multiple entities in the past. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide context to clarify the comparison point and avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "they were tiny" or "they were little" exist, "they were small" remains a clear and effective choice for conveying information about size.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were tiny

Replaces "small" with a synonym emphasizing even smaller size.

they were little

Uses "little" as a synonym for "small", often implying youth or endearment.

they were diminutive

Replaces "small" with a more formal and precise synonym.

they were undersized

Indicates a size below the expected or normal standard.

they were miniature

Replaces "small" with a word implying a perfect, scaled-down version.

they were compact

Implies that something is small and neatly put together.

they were pint-sized

Uses a colloquial term to describe something as being very small.

they were short

Focuses specifically on height as the measure of smallness.

they were slight

Suggests a smallness in terms of build or stature, often implying fragility.

they were wee

Uses a Scottish term for "small", adding a touch of regional flavor.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were small" to describe the size of a group of objects, people, or animals in the past. For example, "The houses "they were small" and quaint" or "They were small for their age, but full of energy".

What can I say instead of "they were small"?

You can use alternatives like "they were tiny", "they were little", or "they were undersized" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was small"?

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

What's the difference between "they were small" and "it was small"?

"They were small" refers to multiple items or individuals, while "it was small" refers to a single item. For example, "They were small, about eight inches long" (plural) versus "It was small, about the size of my hand" (singular).