they were vast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were vast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extensive or large in size, quantity, or scope. Example: "The oceans are vast, covering more than 70% of the Earth's surface."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Tech

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They were vast, vaguely biomorphic cities with spheres and towers built on the ocean or asteroids.

The New York Times

They were vast, wobbly things with bacon, onions, cheese, potatoes and tomatoes, said Maureen Ragaglia, his mother.

The New York Times

He stepped in off the High Street and there they were: vast paintings, some almost 100ft square, hanging so dense and close they filled the cavernous space with their mysterious radiance.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At once they're vast and also slippery.

The New York Times - Arts

They're vast paintings, which translate the original snaps into pieces more than two-metres high.

The Guardian - Arts

Ico, Shadow and Last Guardian all share a similar aesthetic – they are vast, lonely worlds, bathed in almost blinding sunlight.

The Guardian - Tech

They are vast, nature-based water utilities assisting in the storage and release of freshwater to lakes and river networks.

The Guardian

They must have been stunning when they were all white, but even now, stripped down to their heavy brown stone, they are vast and austere.

The Guardian - Travel

Rather, they are vast and systemic: the limited availability of subsidized care for preschool children, the resistance of corporate culture to flexible or reduced hours for the parents of young children, the lack of federally mandated, paid family leave.

The New Yorker

And Jeff Morgan, of the California-based Global Heritage Fund which provides intensive, long-term help at a limited number of sites says UNESCO lacks the resources to monitor its ever-growing list of places, especially if they are vast bits of wilderness.

The Economist

"They are vast stretches of corn under troubled skies," he wrote to Theo some weeks before his death, "and I did not have to go out of my way very much in order to try to express sadness, extreme loneliness".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were vast" to describe landscapes, collections, or abstract concepts when you want to emphasize their immense size or scope. For example, "They were vast fields of wheat swaying in the wind."

Common error

Avoid using "they were vast" in overly simplistic sentences where a more descriptive adjective would be more impactful. For instance, instead of "They were vast buildings", consider "They were towering skyscrapers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were vast" functions as a descriptive phrase, attributing the quality of being "vast" to a subject. This phrase is typically used to emphasize the size, scope, or extent of something, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Tech

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were vast" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something large in size, scope, or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it's a relatively rare phrase, it appears in diverse contexts like news, arts, and science. If you want to be more precise and have variety, consider using alternatives like "they were immense" or "they were extensive". Remember to avoid using it in overly simple sentences for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were immense

Replaces "vast" with a synonym emphasizing great size or scale.

they were enormous

Substitutes "vast" with another synonym that highlights exceptional size.

they were expansive

Uses "expansive" instead of "vast", focusing on the wide-ranging nature of something.

they were extensive

Employs "extensive" to suggest a great range or scope rather than just size.

their scale was considerable

Rephrases to emphasize the substantial scale of something, using a more formal tone.

they covered a large area

Focuses on the spatial coverage, replacing "vast" with a descriptive phrase.

they stretched far and wide

Uses a more descriptive and evocative expression to convey the idea of vastness.

they occupied a huge space

Highlights the amount of space something takes up, offering a more concrete image.

they were of great magnitude

Adopts a more formal and abstract tone, focusing on the significance of the size.

they were remarkably large

Emphasizes the notable size using "remarkably large" instead of "vast".

FAQs

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

Use "they were vast" to describe something large in size, scope, or quantity. For instance, "The plains were vast, stretching as far as the eye could see."

What are some alternatives to "they were vast"?

You can use alternatives such as "they were immense", "they were enormous", or "they were extensive" depending on the context.

Is "they were vast" a formal or informal expression?

"They were vast" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, consider using synonyms like "immense" or "extensive" for added precision.

What's the difference between "they were vast" and "they were huge"?

While both convey large size, "they were vast" often implies a sense of scale or expanse, whereas "they were huge" simply indicates great size. For example, you might say, "They were vast territories", but "They were huge boulders".