they were smiling

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "they were smiling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a complete sentence on its own, or can be used as part of a longer sentence to describe the actions or emotions of a group of people. Example: As the newlyweds walked down the aisle, they were smiling from ear to ear, radiating pure joy and happiness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

They were smiling.

The New York Times

They were smiling, anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

They were smiling but tense.

The New Yorker

"I bet they were smiling," Freeh responded.

The New Yorker

They were smiling at that point.

Independent

I could tell from their eyes that they were smiling.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

They're smiling, though.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They're smiling!

The New Yorker

They are smiling.

The New Yorker

And they're smiling.

The New York Times

Especially when they're smiling".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were smiling" to depict a general sense of happiness or satisfaction among a group. Vary your descriptions with alternatives like "they had smiles on their faces" or "their faces lit up" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "they were smiling" as a default description without providing context. Showing why they were smiling adds depth and relatability to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were smiling" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a group of people exhibited the action of smiling in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were smiling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for portraying happiness within a group. As Ludwig AI states, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and academic contexts, this simple phrase effectively conveys positive emotions and sets a pleasant tone. For writers seeking variety, alternatives like "they had smiles on their faces" or "their faces lit up" can add nuance while avoiding overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had smiles on their faces

This alternative directly describes the presence of smiles, emphasizing the facial expression of happiness.

they were beaming

This suggests a radiant and strong display of happiness through smiling.

their faces lit up

This describes a sudden expression of joy or pleasure that is visually apparent.

they looked cheerful

This focuses on the overall appearance of being happy and positive.

they were grinning

Similar to smiling but can imply a broader, perhaps more playful or mischievous smile.

they seemed happy

This conveys a general sense of happiness that is observed or inferred.

they radiated joy

This emphasizes the outward expression of joy affecting the surrounding atmosphere.

they appeared pleased

This suggests a mild but noticeable sense of satisfaction or contentment.

happiness was evident on their faces

This alternative highlights that happiness was clearly visible by their expressions.

a smile adorned their faces

Expresses that their faces were decorated by a smile.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were smiling" to describe a group's positive emotion or reaction to something. For example, "As the winners were announced, they were smiling and waving to the crowd".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were beaming", "their faces lit up", or "they looked cheerful" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was smiling"?

No, "they was smiling" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were smiling", as "were" is the plural past tense of "to be" and agrees with the plural pronoun "they".

What's the difference between "they were smiling" and "they smiled"?

"They were smiling" implies a continuous action in the past, suggesting they smiled for a duration. "They smiled" is a simple past tense, indicating a completed action without specifying duration.