they were standing

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'they were standing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the location of two or more people in the present tense. For example, "The twins were standing side-by-side in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were standing.

The New Yorker

They were standing near the bedroom doorway.

The New Yorker

Maybe they were standing by the door.

The New Yorker

They were standing firm against bailouts!

The New York Times

They were standing outside the school trailer.

The New Yorker

"They were standing up there," he said.

The New York Times

Many felt better if they were standing up.

Independent

She went to where they were standing, and grew still.

The New York Times

They were standing right where we hit the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

They were standing in the space between Mike and Laura.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They were standing in the dark.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were standing" to clearly indicate the location and posture of a group of people at a specific point in time. It is a versatile phrase applicable in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they are standing" when referring to a past event. "They were standing" indicates a completed action or state in the past, whereas "they are standing" describes a present action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were standing" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of standing performed by a group of individuals in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were standing" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the position of a group of people in the past. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and widespread usage. While its register is generally neutral, the context can influence the overall formality. As demonstrated by the examples from Ludwig, the phrase is commonly found in news articles, literature, and everyday conversation. Remember to avoid using incorrect tenses and consider the subtle differences between "they were standing" and similar phrases like "they stood" to convey the precise meaning you intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they stood

Omits the continuous aspect, focusing on the completed action of standing.

they were positioned

Emphasizes placement more than the act of standing.

they remained standing

Highlights the continuation of the standing posture.

they had been standing

Indicates that they had been standing for some time before another action occurred.

they kept standing

Similar to remained standing, but using different verb.

they were on their feet

Idiomatic way to say they were standing.

they were located

Focuses on their general location, not specifically their posture.

they were upright

Emphasizes they were in an upright position, without specifying how long they had been.

they were erect

Emphasizes the upright posture, which is more formal.

they took a stand

Emphasizes the act of standing up for something, rather than the physical posture.

FAQs

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

Use "they were standing" to describe the position of a group of people at a particular moment in the past. For example, "They were standing by the riverbank, watching the sunset."

What's the difference between "they were standing" and "they stood"?

"They stood" indicates a simple past action of standing, while "they were standing" suggests a continuous action in the past. The latter implies they were in the process of standing for some time.

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they stood", "they were positioned", or "they were located".

Is it correct to say "they was standing"?

No, "they was standing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were standing", as "were" is the correct past tense form of "to be" for plural subjects like "they".