they were splendid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were splendid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone positively, indicating that they were impressive or excellent in some way. Example: "The performers took the stage, and I must say, they were splendid in their execution of the dance routine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They were splendid theater, those conferences, dominated by a president who spoke with wit and in whole paragraphs.

The New York Times

The hundred-and-four-acre estate's main house, the primary-school building (above), had a mere twenty-two rooms, but they were splendid.

The New Yorker

I'd never seen a hippy in my life, and there were 150,000 of them, real flower power types and they were splendid!" It was a life-changing moment for Eavis, something thrillingly new, but also oddly familiar: "It struck a chord with my Methodist love-and-peace upbringing in a way, with the thinking I had been weaned on, but moved it into the 20th century," he explains.

The Guardian - Music

With all of the exercise, I found that I could sleep between eight and nine hours per night and that I was remembering my dreams for the first time (and they were splendid).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Read aloud they are splendid.

Independent

They're splendid fielders, but the batters can't hit curve balls.

The New Yorker

They are splendid works, yet in them Morisot looks more like a model than a muse, since they exude neither complicity nor sensuality.

The New York Times - Arts

The homemade desserts were splendid.

The New York Times

His teeth were splendid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The guard were splendid red and gold,.

The New Yorker

Most first course offerings were splendid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were splendid" to express genuine admiration or approval, particularly when describing performances, events, or qualities that have significantly impressed you.

Common error

Avoid using "they were splendid" in very casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or affected in everyday settings. Consider using alternatives like "they were great" or "they were awesome" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were splendid" functions as a declarative statement expressing a positive judgment or assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English for describing something impressive or excellent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were splendid" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to convey a sense of admiration or high approval. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable in written English. While it's more appropriate for formal contexts such as News & Media, overuse in informal conversations should be avoided for a more natural tone. Consider alternatives like "they were magnificent" or "they were excellent" to vary your expression. The phrase is rarely used, but when it is, it effectively communicates strong positive sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were magnificent

Replaces "splendid" with a stronger synonym indicating grandeur or impressiveness.

they were wonderful

Substitutes "splendid" with a common synonym suggesting delight or satisfaction.

they were excellent

Replaces "splendid" with a term denoting high quality or performance.

they were superb

Uses a more formal synonym for "splendid" indicating outstanding quality.

they were remarkable

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy nature of what is being described.

they were outstanding

Highlights that something surpassed expectations or was exceptionally good.

they were impressive

Focuses on the capacity to evoke admiration or respect.

they were glorious

Indicates something is deserving of high renown and admiration.

they were delightful

Suggests a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment.

they were first-rate

Emphasizes the high-quality or top-notch nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were splendid" to describe something impressive or excellent. For instance, "The dancers' performance was captivating; "they were splendid" in their execution and artistry."

What are some alternatives to "they were splendid"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they were magnificent", "they were wonderful", or "they were excellent", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "they were splendid" formal or informal?

The phrase ""they were splendid"" leans towards formality and is best suited for writing or more formal speaking contexts.

What is the difference between "they were splendid" and "they were good"?

"They were splendid" suggests a higher degree of admiration or excellence compared to "they were good", which is a more general and less emphatic expression of approval.