they were superb

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were superb" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express high praise or admiration for a group of people or things in various contexts, such as reviews, descriptions, or personal opinions. Example: "The performers were superb, captivating the audience with their talent and energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

They were superb.

The New York Times - Food

They were superb against Dynamo Kyiv in mid-week.

The Guardian - Sport

In some stretches the Rams were not very good; in others they were superb.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs. Guren and Mrs. Newman, these were the French teachers, and they were superb.

The New York Times

They were superb, with light, bright flavors and a wonderful mix of textures.

The New York Times - Food

Our waitress suggested one of the house special appetizers, roasted mussels, and they were superb.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

For dessert, try the giant coconut macaroons--they're superb and the almond cookies are better than most.

Los Angeles Times

And yet they're superb central ingredients.

The New York Times - Arts

At this they are superb.

The New York Times

They are superb virtuosos, but not in tango.

The New Yorker

They are superb at sensing the mood of a room.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were superb" to express strong approval or admiration, particularly when describing performances, qualities, or actions that significantly exceeded expectations. It adds a touch of sophistication to your praise.

Common error

Avoid using "they were superb" in very casual conversations. Simpler expressions like "they were great" or "they were awesome" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were superb" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong positive evaluation. It predicates the quality of 'they' as being exceptionally good. This is consistent with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were superb" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for conveying strong admiration or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it less common in casual conversations. When aiming for the same sentiment with different phrasing, consider alternatives such as "they were excellent" or "they were outstanding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were excellent

Replaces "superb" with a more common synonym.

they were outstanding

Substitutes "superb" with a slightly stronger term emphasizing exceptional quality.

they were exceptional

Highlights that their qualities were beyond the ordinary.

they were magnificent

Uses a more dramatic and elevated synonym for "superb".

they were stellar

Uses a metaphorical term to describe them as brilliant and impressive.

they were remarkable

Indicates that their performance or quality was worthy of attention.

they were first-rate

Emphasizes the high quality and top-tier nature of their performance.

they were world-class

Indicates that their quality is among the best globally.

they were top-notch

Similar to 'first-rate', this indicates a high level of quality.

they were commendable

Focuses on the praiseworthy aspect of their actions or qualities.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were superb" to describe something that was exceptionally good. For example, "The performers were superb, captivating the audience with their talent."

What are some alternatives to "they were superb"?

Alternatives include "they were excellent", "they were outstanding", or "they were remarkable" depending on the context.

Is "they were superb" formal or informal?

"They were superb" is generally considered a more formal and sophisticated way to express admiration, suitable for written content or more formal spoken situations.

What's the difference between "they were superb" and "they were good"?

"They were superb" conveys a higher degree of excellence and admiration compared to "they were good". "Superb" implies something was exceptionally well done.