they were sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's behavior, personality, or the taste of food, indicating that they were kind, pleasant, or sugary. Example: "The children were sweet, always sharing their toys with one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They were sweet.

The New Yorker

-- they were sweet.

The New York Times

They were sweet at first.

The New York Times

When young they were sweet.

The New Yorker

Back at her showroom, Rubin recalled: "They were sweet.

The New York Times - Magazine

But they were sweet and funny and happily living in their own world.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

They were sweet-salty Southern, with big-city zing.

The New York Times - Food

I look at the remaining segments on my plate desperately wishing they were sweeter.

Yale University

Girl Scouts: they are sweet.

The New Yorker

They're sweet, yes.

The New York Times - Food

They're sweet dogs".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were sweet" to describe people, ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to their personality, behavior, or both. For clarity, you can add more details like "They were sweet and helpful."

Common error

Avoid using "they were sweet" as a blanket statement without providing specific examples of their kindness or pleasantness. Instead of just saying "They were sweet", explain how they were sweet, such as "They were sweet, always offering to help with chores."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were sweet" functions as a descriptive statement. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and indicates a positive quality or characteristic of the subject. It describes a past condition or behavior, as evidenced by the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were sweet" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone or something positively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the provided examples from diverse sources, especially News & Media, showcase its broad applicability. While "sweet" can refer to both personality and taste, it's important to provide context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "they were kind" or "they were lovely" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were kind

Replaces "sweet" with a direct synonym, focusing on the positive nature of their character or actions.

they were lovely

Similar to "kind" but emphasizes a sense of charm and pleasantness.

they were delightful

Highlights the enjoyable and pleasing quality they possessed.

they were charming

Focuses on their ability to attract and please others.

they were amiable

Emphasizes their friendly and approachable demeanor.

they were gracious

Highlights their courteous and generous behavior.

they were pleasant

A general term for being agreeable and enjoyable.

they were good-natured

Focuses on their kind and cheerful disposition.

they were agreeable

Highlights their willingness to cooperate and be pleasant.

they were considerate

Emphasizes their thoughtfulness and care for others.

FAQs

What does "they were sweet" mean?

The phrase "they were sweet" generally means that the subjects were kind, pleasant, or agreeable. It can refer to someone's personality, actions, or even the taste of food.

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

You can use "they were sweet" to describe people, things, or experiences. For example, "They were sweet together and looked very in love", or "They were sweet and welcoming, happy to answer questions and practice their English."

What are some alternatives to "they were sweet"?

Alternatives include "they were kind", "they were lovely", "they were delightful", or "they were charming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they are sweet" different from "they were sweet"?

"They are sweet" describes a present state, while "they were sweet" describes a past state. For example, "They are sweet children" means they are currently sweet, while "They were sweet when they were younger" means they were sweet in the past.