they were working

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were working' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to past actions. For example: "The two of them worked together on the project - they were working late into the night on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were working individually.

The New York Times - Sports

They were working on it.

The New York Times - Travel

They were working Gypsies.

The Guardian - Music

They were working people.

The New York Times

They were working men.

The New York Times

They were working hard to be optimistic.

The New Yorker

"They were working on the first one".

The New York Times

They were working on their relationship.

The New Yorker

Soon they were working out trades.

The New York Times

But they were working hard.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They were working-class people: soldiers, construction workers, police officers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were working", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to. Maintaining clarity avoids ambiguity and enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "they were working" excessively in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Prefer active voice to emphasize who is performing the work and what they are achieving. For example, instead of "Mistakes were made while they were working", try "They made mistakes while working."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were working" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. As verified by Ludwig AI, it describes an ongoing action performed by a group of people in the past. Examples in Ludwig show it being used across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were working" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a past continuous action, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Appearing frequently in News & Media, but also found in Formal & Business and Scientific contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for various scenarios. When writing, ensure clarity about who "they" refers to, and avoid overuse in passive voice. Alternatives like ""they were collaborating"" or "they were toiling" can offer different nuances. By maintaining clarity and avoiding passive voice overuse, you can effectively use "they were working" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they engaged in labor

More formal and emphasizes the act of working.

they toiled

Implies hard or continuous work.

they were in employment

Focuses on the state of being employed.

they were busy

General statement of being occupied with tasks.

they were active

Suggests general activity, not necessarily work.

they collaborated

Specifically highlights teamwork.

they were operational

Indicates that something or someone is in a state of readiness or functionality.

they functioned

Stresses the performance of a duty or task.

they were progressing

Highlights forward movement or advancement in their tasks.

they exerted themselves

Emphasizes the effort put into their tasks.

FAQs

What does "they were working" mean?

The phrase "they were working" indicates that a group of people was engaged in some form of activity, typically involving effort and aimed at achieving a specific purpose or goal.

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

You can use "they were working" to describe a past activity. For example, "they were working on the project all night" or "they were working hard to meet the deadline.

What are some alternatives to "they were working"?

Alternatives include "they were collaborating", "they were laboring", or "they were toiling depending on the context".

Is "they were working" formal or informal?

"They were working" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.