truly were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truly were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the authenticity or reality of a statement or situation in a reflective or descriptive context. Example: "The memories of our childhood truly were the happiest times of our lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And they truly were.

The Guardian - Opinion

You truly were a Tzadik.

The New York Times

Our parents truly were the Greatest Generation.

The New York Times

Gone are Balanchine's daring, spirited performers who truly were aristocrats of art.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe there truly were giants and bullets and fairies and dragons.

The Guardian

They truly were God incarnate, just as cruelty and cynicism are the opposite.

The New York Times

Some of us, including yours truly, were wearing diapers when this last occurred.

The New York Times

Its aim was to explain to governments, starting with America's, what nuclear weapons truly were.

The Economist

The major rationale for such expansive treatment of O'Neill's formative years is that for O'Neill they truly were formative.

The New York Times

And when the end at last came aboard Victory, many of Nelson's sailors truly were in tears.

The Guardian - Books

In many ads Mr. Wofford spoke directly to the camera about ideas that truly were his own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truly were" to emphasize the genuine nature of a past situation or characteristic. For example, "The challenges we faced truly were opportunities for growth."

Common error

Avoid using "truly were" excessively in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound redundant or overly emphatic. Consider more concise alternatives like "were" or "indeed were" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly were" functions as an emphatic assertion about a past state. Ludwig AI shows that it is used to underscore the genuineness or reality of something that existed in the past, reinforcing its authenticity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "truly were" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for emphasizing the genuine nature of a past state or characteristic. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely employed in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal contexts. Alternatives like "genuinely were" or "actually were" can offer similar emphasis with subtle differences in tone. When using "truly were", be sure to align the verb with the plurality of the subject. Overall, it's a reliable way to add emphasis and authenticity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely were

Replaces "truly" with "genuinely", suggesting sincerity and authenticity in the state of being.

really were

Substitutes "truly" with "really", offering a more informal but equally emphatic alternative.

actually were

Substitutes "truly" with "actually", indicating factual correctness or reality.

indeed were

Substitutes "truly" with "indeed", providing confirmation and emphasis.

in fact were

Highlights the truth and accuracy of a statement or observation.

veritably were

Replaces "truly" with "veritably", adding a touch of formality and emphasizing the truthfulness of the state.

sincerely were

Replaces "truly" with "sincerely", emphasizing the genuineness and honesty of the state.

legitimately were

Replaces "truly" with "legitimately", suggesting that they were in accordance with the law or rules.

in reality were

Emphasizes the actual state of being, highlighting the difference between appearance and reality.

to be sure were

Emphasizes confidence in truth of statement, often more emphatic than just using "surely were".

FAQs

How can I use "truly were" in a sentence?

You can use "truly were" to emphasize the reality or authenticity of a past state or condition. For example, "The early days of the internet "truly were" a wild frontier".

What phrases are similar to "truly were"?

Similar phrases include "genuinely were", "actually were", or "indeed were". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "truly were" grammatically correct?

Yes, "truly were" is grammatically correct. "Truly" is an adverb modifying the verb "were", indicating the genuineness of the state of being.

Can I use "truly was" instead of "truly were"?

Yes, but it depends on the subject. Use "truly was" for singular subjects and "truly were" for plural subjects. For example, "He truly was a hero," but "They "truly were" heroes".