they were staying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were staying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals are residing or remaining in a particular place for a period of time. Example: "During the summer, they were staying at a beach house to enjoy the sun and surf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were staying.

The New York Times

Who revealed where they were staying?

The New York Times

But some vacationers said they were staying put awhile longer.

The New York Times

When she arrived, he informed her that they were staying.

The New York Times - Arts

They were staying at the Jesus Martinez stadium.

The Washington Post

They were staying glass half full about it all.

The New Yorker

They were staying with their girlfriends at the tournament hotel.

The New York Times - Magazine

They were staying at the Peter Cooper Hotel.

The New Yorker

She said that they were staying with her in-laws.

The New Yorker

Cooking wasn't an option, because they were staying in a hotel with a small kitchenette.

The New York Times

Asked daily about the situation, Umenyiora's fellow defensive ends said they were staying out of it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternative phrases like "they remained" or "they resided" when aiming for a more formal tone or avoiding repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "they were staying" when a simpler past tense like "they stayed" is more appropriate, especially if the period of stay is already implied or concluded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were staying" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past continuous tense, indicating a state of residing or remaining in a particular place over a period of time in the past. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were staying" is a commonly used verb phrase in the past continuous tense, indicating a temporary or ongoing residence in a particular location. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate across various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, reflecting its general use in reporting where people are temporarily located. While suitable for neutral communication, alternative phrases like "they remained" or "they resided" can provide a more formal tone, and it's crucial to consider the specific context to select the most fitting expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they remained

Emphasizes continuing to be in a specific location or state.

they resided

Suggests a more formal or permanent arrangement of living somewhere.

they were lodging

Implies temporary accommodation, like in a hotel or rented room.

they were dwelling

A more literary term for living in a place.

they were quartered

Often used in military or institutional contexts, indicating assigned accommodation.

they were bivouacking

Describes a temporary encampment, often outdoors.

they were sojourning

Suggests a temporary stay as a traveler or guest.

they were located

Focuses on their position or whereabouts.

they held their position

Indicates a decision to stay in place, often against some form of opposition.

they continued to reside

Adds emphasis on continuation and formality in staying.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were staying" to describe a temporary or ongoing residence. For example, "They were staying at a hotel while their house was being renovated."

What is a more formal alternative to "they were staying"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "they resided" or "they lodged", depending on the context.

When should I use "they stayed" instead of "they were staying"?

Use "they stayed" when referring to a completed action of residing in a place. "They were staying" implies a continuous or ongoing action in the past.

Is there a difference between "they were staying" and "they were living"?

"They were staying" generally implies a temporary arrangement, while "they were living" suggests a more permanent or long-term residence.