they were trending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were trending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a topic, hashtag, or subject that is currently popular or gaining attention, especially on social media platforms. Example: "During the event, they were trending on Twitter, with thousands of tweets discussing their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

So there has been a real slowdown in health-care costs compared with how they were trending.

The Washington Post

My hands and feet didn't know exactly what they wanted, but they were trending toward: push past whatever/whoever blocks you, get inside, start wrecking shit by throwing it around, shout out whatever's in your mind, see what happens.

The New Yorker

This aspect of the job appears to be at the center of a Gizmodo report on Monday, in which an unnamed former curator for Facebook, who happens to lean to the political right, alleges that other curators regularly kept stories that might be of interest to conservative readers from appearing in the "trending" section — even if they were trending among Facebook users.

The New Yorker

This aspect of the job appears to be at the center of a Gizmodo report on Monday, in which an unnamed former curator for Facebook, who happens to lean to the political right, alleges that other curators regularly kept stories that might be of interest to conservative readers from appearing in the "trending" section even if they were trending among Facebook users.

The New Yorker

They were trending in the right direction and I could see a chill wave or witch house line launching in a few years. .

Vice

As we get older, we tend to evolve in style and taste and, eventually, we may not be able to stand (or fit into) the clothes we've chattered on account of the fact that they were trending.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"But they are trending in the right direction, and that's good news".

The New York Times

"He still has some issues with his bladder, but they are trending in the right direction.

The New York Times

Halfway through their season, the Jets sit in seventh place in the A.F.C., out of a playoff spot, but they are trending up.

The New York Times - Sports

But they are trending in that direction.

Forbes

I do use the A-D Line for individual stocks to see where they are trending.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were trending", ensure it's clear who or what "they" refers to. Providing context will help avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were trending" if the subject is ambiguous or unclear. Always specify who or what is trending to maintain clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were trending" functions as a descriptive statement. It indicates that a particular subject or topic was gaining popularity or attracting significant attention at a specific time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were trending" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the rising popularity of a topic, especially on social media. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. The phrase is versatile and fits into various contexts, though clarity is important to specify what "they" refers to. While direct synonyms may exist, the expression remains valuable for effectively conveying a subject's growing visibility. Common usage appears in "News & Media", although "Science" and "Formal & Business" contexts can also be found.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a trending topic

Focuses on the topic itself reaching trending status, shifting the emphasis slightly from the collective "they".

it gained popularity

Replaces "trending" with a more general term indicating an increase in favor or recognition.

it was becoming popular

Similar to gaining popularity, but emphasizes the process of becoming popular over time.

they were gaining traction

Indicates that something is gaining momentum and attracting more attention.

it was all the rage

Suggests something was extremely popular and fashionable at a particular time.

they were in vogue

Highlights that something was fashionable and stylish.

it was making waves

Implies something was creating a significant impact and generating discussion.

it was gaining buzz

Indicates growing excitement and interest surrounding something.

they were taking off

Implies something was rapidly becoming successful or widely adopted.

it was catching on

Suggests that something was becoming increasingly popular and accepted.

FAQs

What does "they were trending" mean?

The phrase "they were trending" means that a particular topic, hashtag, or subject was highly popular and widely discussed, especially on social media platforms.

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

You can use alternatives such as "it gained popularity", "it was becoming popular", or "they were gaining traction" depending on the specific context.

Is "they were trending" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were trending" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to describe something that was popular or gaining attention over a period of time.

How to use "they were trending" in a sentence?

You can use "they were trending" to describe a topic's popularity. For example, "During the conference, key speakers it gained popularity on Twitter, with attendees sharing insightful quotes and highlights."