they were tremendous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were tremendous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express admiration or praise for a group of people or things, indicating that they were impressive or outstanding. Example: "The performers were tremendous, captivating the audience with their talent and energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"They were tremendous communicators.

The New York Times

In any case, they were tremendous.

The New Yorker

The wider consequences took time to be felt, but they were tremendous.

The Guardian - Books

Americans would say in such a case that they were tremendous, wonderful.

The New York Times - Sports

Her mother was a professional cellist and her father a violinist: "They were tremendous role models," she says.

Independent

Kerry Collins and the wide receivers played great, but it starts with the offensive line, and they were tremendous".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"They are tremendous.

Independent

They are tremendous jungle fighters".

The New York Times

"They're tremendous players.

The New York Times - Sports

They are tremendous fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They are tremendous players who are very popular.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were tremendous" to express strong admiration or approval for a group or entity, particularly when highlighting exceptional qualities or performance. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "they were tremendous" is acceptable in most contexts, avoid overusing it in very casual conversation, where simpler expressions like "they were great" or "they were amazing" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were tremendous" functions as a subject-verb-adjective complement construction. "They" is the subject, "were" is the linking verb, and "tremendous" is the adjective complementing the subject, expressing a high degree of admiration or approval. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were tremendous" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express strong admiration or approval. Ludwig AI validates its usability across diverse contexts. It functions as a subject-verb-adjective complement construction, primarily found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. Alternatives include "they were outstanding" and "they were remarkable". While versatile, avoid overuse in extremely casual conversations for a more natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were outstanding

Replaces "tremendous" with "outstanding", a synonym expressing exceptional quality or performance.

they were remarkable

Substitutes "tremendous" with "remarkable", indicating something noteworthy or impressive.

they were exceptional

Uses "exceptional" instead of "tremendous", highlighting that they were beyond the ordinary.

they were magnificent

Replaces "tremendous" with "magnificent", suggesting grandeur and splendor in their performance or quality.

they were superb

Substitutes "tremendous" with "superb", indicating excellence and high quality.

they were wonderful

Uses "wonderful" instead of "tremendous", expressing delight and admiration.

they were extraordinary

Replaces "tremendous" with "extraordinary", emphasizing that they were beyond the usual or common.

they were impressive

Substitutes "tremendous" with "impressive", highlighting the impact they had.

they were first-rate

Uses "first-rate" instead of "tremendous", suggesting top quality and excellence.

they were top-notch

Replaces "tremendous" with "top-notch", indicating they were of the highest standard.

FAQs

What does "they were tremendous" mean?

The phrase "they were tremendous" means that a group or entity performed exceptionally well or possessed outstanding qualities, evoking admiration or approval.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "they were tremendous"?

It's appropriate to use "they were tremendous" in situations where you want to express strong approval or admiration, whether in formal reports, news articles, or casual conversations.

What are some alternative ways to say "they were tremendous"?

You can use alternatives like "they were outstanding", "they were remarkable", or "they were exceptional" to convey similar meanings.

Is "they were tremendous" too formal for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "they were tremendous" might sound slightly formal in very casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "they were great" or "they were amazing" for more relaxed conversations.